The gradual ageing of the British population has been reflected in the GHS sample since 1971. In that year, 12% of people were aged 65 or over compared with 15% in 2001. There has been a corresponding fall in the proportion of the population aged under 16, from 25% in 1971 to 20% in 2001. Figure 3D shows the change between 1971 and 2001 in the proportions of the population aged under 16 and 65 and over.

The greater life span of women is illustrated in Table 3.13. While for most age groups the male/female distribution is relatively even, there are more women than men among people aged 65 and over. Women represent over three fifths (62%) of people aged 75 and over.