Age structure
Average age rose to 38.4 years in 2003
Population: by age, UK
The age structure of the UK population has become older in the last three decades, and will become older still in the next three decades. The median age rose from 34.1 years in 1971 to 38.4 in 2003 and is projected to rise to 43.3 in 2031.
This ageing is the result of declines both in the numbers of children born and in mortality rates. This has led to a declining proportion of the population aged under 16 and an increasing proportion aged 65 and over. In 1971, 25 per cent of the population were aged under 16. This fell to 20 per cent in 2003 and is projected to fall further to 17 per cent in 2031.
The percentage of older people (aged 65 and over) increased from 13 per cent in 1971 to 16 per cent in 2003 and is projected to rise to 23 per cent in 2031.
In 1971 there were 52 people aged 65 and over for every 100 children under 16. In 2003 there were 81 and in 2031 it is expected that there will be 136.
Age structure: regional comparison, 2003
Comparing the UK’s four constituent countries in 2003, Northern Ireland had the youngest age profile with 23 per cent of its population aged under 16 and only 14 per cent aged 65 and over. Wales had the largest proportion of people age 65 and over (18 per cent) and a low proportion of people of working age (16 to 64 years), at 63 per cent. Scotland had the lowest proportion under the age of 16 (19 per cent).
Among the Government Office Regions of England, the South West had the highest proportion of people aged 65 and over (19 per cent). London had both the lowest proportion of people aged 65 and over (12 per cent) and also the highest proportion in the working age group (68 per cent).
Sources: Age structure up to 2003: population estimates, Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Age structure for 2031: population projections, Government Actuary’s Department
printer-friendly
Focus on People & Migration home