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 1983 to 16 per cent in 2008, an increase of 1.5 million people in this age group. Over the same period, the percentage of the population aged 16 and under decreased from 21 per cent to 19 per cent. This trend is projected to continue. By 2033, 23 per cent of the population will be aged 65 and over compared to 18 per cent aged 16 or younger.
The fastest population increase has been in the number of those aged 85 and over, the ’oldest old‘. In 1983, there were just over 600,000 people in the UK aged 85 and over. Since then the numbers have more than doubled reaching 1.3 million in 2008. By 2033 the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to more than double again to reach 3.2 million, and to account 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 1983 to 39 in 2008. It is projected to continue to increase over the next 25 years rising to 40 by 2033.
In 2008 in the UK 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 1983 women and men had median ages of 36 and 33 years respectively, a difference of three years. The difference in median ages for women and men decreased to two years in 2008. It is projected to remain at this level to 2033.
The ratio of women to men of those aged 65 and over is also falling. In 1983 there were 155 women aged 65 and over for every 100 men of the same age, compared to the current sex ratio of 130 women for every 100 men for this age group. By 2033 it is projected that the 65 and over sex ratio will have fallen still further to 117 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.
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 1961-2008 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
Population projections for 2033 are ONS National Population Projections (NPP) 2006 based. ONS NPP 2008 based will be published on 21 October 2009.
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