Age group that’s growing fastest? The over-90s!

THE number of Scots over the age of 90 has soared in a decade – making them the most ‘rapidly growing’ group of the population.

There has been a 45 per cent increase in people between 90 and 99, with a 17 per cent rise in those aged 100 and older.

But the figures – released yesterday by National Records of Scotland (NRS) – come as another report reveals that the rate of rising life expectancy has slowed.

There were 810 Scots aged 100 or older last year, with 41,120 between 90 and 99, according to the NRS data, which covers 2008 to 2018.

The number of centenarians peaked at 920 in 2014, with the decline since attributed to the lower birth rates of the First World War and stalling life expectancy.

The NRS report states: ‘The increase [in centenarians] has been largely driven by increases in survival rates, as the result of improvements in hygiene, sanitation, medical treatment, housing and living standards.’

Regarding those aged 90 and over, the report adds: ‘These statistics give important insight into the most rapidly growing age group of Scotland’s population.’

Meanwhile, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show Scotland still has the lowest life expectancy in the UK.

For Scots boys born in 2016-18, life expectancy is 77.05 years against 79.56 for those in England, 78.66 years in Northern Ireland and 78.31 years in Wales.

For Scots girls born in 2016-18, it is 81.08 years, compared with 83.18 in England, 82.38 in Northern Ireland and 82.33 in Wales.

These figures are up from a life expectancy in 1980 of 69.11 years for men and 75.31 for women.

The lower life expectancy of Scots is blamed on alcohol and drug misuse, violence, poverty and policies such as rehousing thousands from Glasgow in the 1950s into new towns and leaving the unskilled and unemployed in the city, in poor quality housing. The ONS’s Edward Morgan said: ‘Between 2016 and 2018 we’ve seen lower increases [in life expectancy] than in previous decades. Nevertheless, it’s still increasing.’

Age Scotland chief executive Brian Sloan said: ‘It’s great news that there has been a vast increase in the number of people living well into their 90s and beyond.

‘However, there are still considerable numbers dying much younger than this. There is a clear general link between levels of poverty and overall life expectancy. More investment in our nation’s health and social care, as well as reducing wealth inequalities, is needed to improve quality and length of life.’

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘The issues underpinning life expectancy are complex and relate to enduring health inequalities and changes in the pattern of disease.

‘The majority of European countries have experienced a slowing in the rate of life expectancy.

‘We welcome that people are living for longer than has been the case in the past and we are working to ensure that everyone can lead as independent and fulfilling a life as possible.’

‘Enduring health inequalities’