The population of the UK is ageing. Over the last 25 years the percentage of the population aged 65 and over increased from 15 per cent in 1984 to 16 per cent in 2009, an increase of 1.7 million people. Over the same period, the percentage of the population aged under 16 decreased from 21 per cent to 19 per cent. This trend is projected to continue. By 2034, 23 per cent of the population is projected to be aged 65 and over compared to 18 per cent aged under 16.
The fastest population increase has been in the number of those aged 85 and over, the “oldest old”. In 1984, there were around 660,000 people in the UK aged 85 and over. Since then the numbers have more than doubled reaching 1.4 million in 2009. By 2034 the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to be 2.5 times larger than in 2009, reaching 3.5 million and accounting for 5 per cent of the total population. As a result of these increases in the number of older people, the median age of the UK population is increasing. Over the past 25 years the median age increased from 35 years in 1984 to 39 years in 2009. It is projected to continue to increase over the next 25 years rising to 42 by 2034.
In 2009 the median age for women (40 years) was higher than for men (38 years).This is because, on average, women live longer than men. However, the gender gap has narrowed; in 1984 the median ages for women and men were 36 and 33 years respectively, a difference of 3 years.
The ratio of women to men of those aged 65 and over is also falling. In 1984 there were 156 women aged 65 and over for every 100 men of the same age, compared to the current sex ratio of 129 women for every 100 men. By 2034 it is projected that the 65 and over sex ratio will have fallen still further to 118 women for every 100 men.
Source: Mid-year population estimates, Office for National Statistics; General Register Office for Scotland; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
Population projections for 2034 are ONS National Population Projections (NPP) 2008 based.
Notes: Median age is the estimated “middle “age of the population where half of the population is younger than the median age and half the population is older than the median age.
Mid-year population estimates for the years 1961-2009 are for the resident population which includes all people who usually live there, whatever their nationality. Members of UK and non-UK armed forces stationed in the UK are included and UK forces stationed outside the UK are excluded. Students are taken to be resident at their term time address
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