The number of British pensioners is set to surge by two-thirds in the next 20 years, according to a new report.

 

Almost a quarter of the UK population will be 65 and over by 2031, with the East Midlands, the East and Northern Ireland having the biggest increases.

The huge increase will place enormous strain on the NHS and other public services as people live longer and the elderly population reaches 15.8 million.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, said: “The fact that there are growing numbers of people in later life is a cause for real celebration.

“However the growth of an older population will mean significant challenges for policy makers in terms of funding and investing in the sort of services an ageing society will rely on.

“We recognise the urgency of cutting the budget deficit and the likelihood of spending cuts across public services. However the axe must not fall on entitlements and services that people in later life rely on most.

“There is no excuse for not planning ahead to ensure that health, care, pensions and other services are able to meet the needs of an ageing population. It’s also essential that medical research continues to receive funding or we will pay the price in generations to come.”

The Office for National Statistics data also shows the greatest population increases are predicted for the oldest of the older age groups. By 2031 a 77 per cent increase is expected in those 75 and over and a 131 per cent increase in those 85 and older. The report said women in older age groups outnumber men because on average women have a greater life expectancy.

But with improvements in male life expectancy this is expected to change. By 2031 the number of women aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 54 per cent compared with a 74 per cent increase in men of this age.