Quarter of Britons will be over 65 as population soars

OVER-65S will make up almost a quarter of the population in fewer than 20 years, say official projections.

As many as 24 per cent of people will be aged 65-plus by 2037 and within the next 50 years, there could be an additional 8.6 million older residents – about the population of London.

Those 65 and over will number 20.4 million accounting for 26.5 per cent of the total, the Office for National Statistics estimates.

By 2037, the most elderly part of the country is likely to be West Somerset with 44 per cent of its residents passing the benchmark. West Dorset, North Norfolk and Rother, East Sussex, will have 40 per cent.

Britain’s population reached 66 million in mid-2017 and will be almost 73 million in 25 years’ time.

Longevity experts warn Britain is not prepared for the strains a growing pensioner population will bring.

Dr Anna Dixon, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The fact that there will be one in four people aged 65 or over in 20 years should be good news but not if those years are spent in poor health, in an unsuitable home or in poor-quality work.

“Our society is woefully underprepared for the changes we’re seeing and too many people are at risk of missing out on a good later life.

“We need urgent action across health, housing and work to meet the needs and aspirations of the ageing population and reduce the inequality that exists between rich and poor.”

Sarah Coates, of the ONS, said the population has doubled in 140 years.

She said: “This growth is due to there being more births than deaths and more people moving to the UK than leaving and as well as growing, the population is also ageing.”

Ten years ago, one in every six people was a pensioner. That rose to almost one in five last year. The ONS adds: “Pressure is expected to mount on many sectors and services.”