Geographic Distribution
Highest in Wales, Cornwall and coast
People over state pension age: by area, April 2001, United Kingdom
The Local Authority Districts with a high proportion of people above state pension age (more than 20 per cent) are concentrated in Wales and Cornwall, and along the coastal areas of the country.
Three Local Authority Districts had over 30 per cent of people above state pension age in 2001: Christchurch, in the South West (33 per cent), Rother, in the South East (32 per cent), and East Devon (30 per cent).
The areas with low proportions of older people are in Northern Ireland and in London. Of the seven Local Authority Districts with less than 12 per cent of people above state pension age in 2001, five were in London and two in Northern Ireland.
These differences in geographic distribution are thought to be due, in part, to many older people choosing to leave congested urban areas to settle in coastal and rural destinations. On the other hand, urban and surrounding areas draw younger people due to employment opportunities and other reasons.
Additionally, major cities like London have a high proportion of people from non-White minority ethnic groups, who have a younger age structure than the overall population. Northern Ireland has higher fertility than Great Britain overall, so its age structure is younger.
Change in population over state pension age: by area, 1991 to 2001, Great Britain
Between 1991 and 2001 the highest percentage increases in people over state pension age occurred in Wokingham (29 per cent), South Staffordshire (28 per cent) and Surrey Heath (27 per cent).
The largest percentage falls were in urban area, including London, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol and Glasgow. Wandsworth borough in London had the biggest fall, having 20 per cent less people over state pension age in 2001 than in 1991.
Many areas on the Southeast coast with traditionally high proportions of older people, such as Worthing, Eastbourne and Canterbury, also experienced declines in the population over state pension age between 1991 and 2001.
Sources: Census, April 2001, Office for National Statistics Census, April 1991, Office for National Statistics Census, April 2001, General Register Office for Scotland Census, April 2001, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
Notes: State pension age for men is aged 65 and over and for women aged 60 and over.
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