In the United Kingdom, in 2004, according to estimates based on the 2001 Census ofPopulation, there were over 11 million older people (11,125,000):– 9,280,000 in England
– 968,000 in Scotland
– 602,000 in Wales
– 275,000 in Northern Ireland. (1)

According to estimates, 75% of those aged 65 and over voted at the 2005 General Election compared to 37% of those aged 18-24. (2)

In 2004, the population of the United Kingdom, based on mid-year estimates, was 59,835,000.

Of this figure, 18.6% were over pensionable age:
– 7,034,000 were women aged 60 and over (of whom 5,488,000 were aged 65 and over)
– 4,091,000 were men aged 65 and over
– 9,580,000 were people aged 65 and over
– 4,547,000 were people aged 75 and over
– 1,112,000 were people aged 85 and over. (3)

A man of 60 could expect to live for another 20.2 years and a woman of the same age for 23.4 years, based on data for the years 2002-2004. (figures may be subject to further revision) (4)

In mid-2004, in the United Kingdom, 9,000 people were estimated to be aged 100 and over. (5)

Looking at the minority ethnic population in the United Kingdom, in 2001, within specific groups:
– 11% of Black-Caribbean people were aged over 65
– 2% of Black-African people were aged over 65
– 7% of Indian people were aged over 65
– 4% of Pakistani people were aged over 65
– 3% of Bangladeshi people were aged over 65
– 5% of Chinese people were aged over 65. (6)

An Ageing Population in the Future

The number of people over pensionable age, taking account of the increase in the women’s State Pension age, is projected to increase from nearly 11.4 million in 2006 to 12.2 million in 2011, and will rise to over 13.9 million by 2026, reaching over 15.3 million in 2031.

The change in State Pension age for women will be phased in between 2010 and 2020 and will not affect anyone born before 6 April 1950. (7)

Sources of data used

(1) Population Trends, (PT 122) 122, Winter 2005, National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2005, table 1.4 (Population: age and sex).
(2) The growing importance of older voters: anelectoral demographical model for analysis of
the changing age structure of the electorate,by Scott Davidson. Loughborough University, 2006, www.20millionvotes.org.uk/reports/electoral_demography_report.pdf
(3) PT 122, op cit, table 1.2 (Population: national); table 1.4 (Population: age and sex).
(4) Interim Life Tables, The Government Actuaries Department (GAD) (Expectation of life United Kingdom, males, based on data for the years 2002-2004); (Expectation of life, females, based on data for the years 2002-2004) www.gad.gov.uk/Life_Tables/interim_life_tables.htm (14/03/06).
(5) 2004-based principal projections, GAD, 2005, www.gad.gov.uk/Population/index.asp.
(6) Social Trends 2006, 36, National Statistics © Crown Copyright 2006, table 1.5 (Population: by ethnic group and age, 2001 Great Britain).
(7) Projected increase of 7.2m in UK population by 2031, National Statistics Press Release, October 2005, National Statistics and Government Actuaries Department, table C (Projected
population by age United Kingdom 2004-2031).

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