Demographic Trends in UK | Ageing Population
What is the ageing population?
In 1998, around one in six people were 65 years and over (15.9%)
Increased to one in every five people in 2018 (18.3%) and is projected to reach around one in every four people (24.2%) by 2038
Comparatively, an estimated 20.5% of the population was under 16 years old in 1998, decreasing to 19.0% in 2018 and is projected to decline to 17.4% by 2038
Within the UK, the older population makes up a higher proportion of the populations of rural and coastal than urban areas
What has caused an ageing population?
Declining fertility rates in the UK
Increased life expectancy
The population aged 65 years and over is growing faster than other age groups and this has caused a shift in the demographics of the UK
Declining fertility rates in the UK:
Increased involvement of women in employment has led to fewer children being born
Increased expense of children- people are choosing to have fewer children
People are having children later in life- this decreases the fertility window for having children
Increased life expectancy:
Greater advances in medical technology
Healthier lifestyles and diets
Less dangerous occupations
Better understanding of impacts on health
Impacts of the ageing population:
Impacts on public services- Key (2016) increased strain on social care for the elderly
Changes to pensions and the retirement age- dependency ratio tipping toward more people being out of work than in paid employment - Pension Act 2007 and 2014
Making the population younger:
Migration of young workers and families into the UK aids the dependency ratio
The baby boomer generation is ageing and living longer, but this will eventually lead to a reduction in population when this generation
Increase in child-bearing in the early part of the 21st century- although in recent years this has declined
What is the ageing population?
In 1998, around one in six people were 65 years and over (15.9%)
Increased to one in every five people in 2018 (18.3%) and is projected to reach around one in every four people (24.2%) by 2038
Comparatively, an estimated 20.5% of the population was under 16 years old in 1998, decreasing to 19.0% in 2018 and is projected to decline to 17.4% by 2038
Within the UK, the older population makes up a higher proportion of the populations of rural and coastal than urban areas
What has caused an ageing population?
Declining fertility rates in the UK
Increased life expectancy
The population aged 65 years and over is growing faster than other age groups and this has caused a shift in the demographics of the UK
Declining fertility rates in the UK:
Increased involvement of women in employment has led to fewer children being born
Increased expense of children- people are choosing to have fewer children
People are having children later in life- this decreases the fertility window for having children
Increased life expectancy:
Greater advances in medical technology
Healthier lifestyles and diets
Less dangerous occupations
Better understanding of impacts on health
Impacts of the ageing population:
Impacts on public services- Key (2016) increased strain on social care for the elderly
Changes to pensions and the retirement age- dependency ratio tipping toward more people being out of work than in paid employment - Pension Act 2007 and 2014
Making the population younger:
Migration of young workers and families into the UK aids the dependency ratio
The baby boomer generation is ageing and living longer, but this will eventually lead to a reduction in population when this generation
Increase in child-bearing in the early part of the 21st century- although in recent years this has declined
