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The Ageing Population
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The table (based on 1991 projections) shows the age structure of the UK population for the years 2001 to 2041. The increase in the proportion of elderly people is in the 75-84 year group (+39%) and more particularly in those 85+ years (+55%). Meanwhile, the numbers of younger people changing little. The vast majority of these older people live at the present time in their own homes, only 6% being in institutional care (residential homes or hospital).
Age Band |
2001 |
2011 |
2021 |
2041 |
Percentage change |
60-64 |
2.8 |
3.7 |
3.7 |
3.0 |
+7 |
65-74 |
4.8 |
5.1 |
6.0 |
6.1 |
+27 |
75-84 |
3.3 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
4.6 |
+39 |
85+ |
1.1 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
+55 |
Total population |
59 |
59.4 |
59.9 |
59.1 |
+0.17 |
The over-85 group are predominantly women, the majority widowed and living alone. The very elderly group have high consultation rates with general practitioners, with many more home visits and occupy up to 50% of all NHS beds (medical, surgical and psychiatric). They are more likely to have complex combinations of physical, psychological and social difficulties, which require multidisciplinary assessment and treatment.
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