Ageing across the UK

Abstract

The wellbeing of the older population in the UK is a priority to local and national government and health authorities, as well as to people themselves. The population aged over 65 is progressively becoming a larger percentage of the nation's population. The effects of falling mortality rates are especially visible among the ‘oldest old’. At the same time, however, the older population is supported by a shrinking labour force. This article explores regional and sub-regional variations in the concentration of older people. The populations of London and Northern Ireland have smaller proportions of older people than other regions. The South West and Wales have higher proportions and local authority level data suggest a pattern of settlement in coastal and rural areas. Population projections indicate, on the basis of past trends, the expected future growth in the population at older ages. The article also investigates measures of wellbeing of the ageing population including benefits and income deprivation, life expectancy, aspects of health and social care, older workers, and qualifications and learning. At local authority and small area level, variations in the older population often appear to correspond to the rural or urban nature of the areas concerned. The article includes case studies of income deprivation of older people at Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) level in the North West and the South East regions.