The one thing we know about the future is that we are going to get older – and this is something to be celebrated.
Improvements in our health and our lifestyles mean many of us will live healthier, longer lives than any generation before us. Our politicians want to encourage businesses to develop new products and services to support our ageing society and make sure we remain active, happy, in work and in our homes for longer.
The UK government has gone so far as to say that our ageing society is one of the main challenges it will tackle as part of the country’s long-term economic plan, or Industrial Strategy.
How much do you know about how fast our population is changing?
Did you know that…
- Our chance of living to 100 in the UK is expected to almost double over the next 50 years. Already one in three girls born today will live to 100. In 50 year, near to a half will.
- In 1917, King George V sent the first telegrams to those celebrating their 100thbirthdays. He sent just 24. In 2016, the Queen sent 6,000 and in 2050, whoever is on the throne will send more than 56,000.
- A fifth of the UK population will be aged 65 and over by 2025, rising to a quarter in 2045.
- One in 10 of us in the UK now regularly care for a relative, friend or neighbour without being paid for it – that’s the equivalent of 6.5 million people.
- The UK population is projected to increase by 3.6 million (5.5%) over the next 10 years, from about65.6 million in mid-2016 to 69.2 million in mid-2026.
- Reliable estimates reveal the ‘silver economy’ is worth a staggering £5 trillion, making it the third largest economy in the world.
To find out more go to https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/the-uks-industrial-strategy
Karlie Simmonds Karlie has worked in Digital Media for over 10 years, she is passionate about health and wellbeing and lives in Edinburgh with her partner, children, and Pug, Poppy.
