The analysis shows that in 2020, the New Forest, in South East England, will have the highest proportion of people age 90 years and older (table 1). Over 3,600 or nearly 2% of its population will be in this age band. The South East region will have 6 out of the top 10 areas with the highest proportion of over 90s.
In 2020, the over 90s population will have increased by over a third (36%) since 2010, significantly outpacing population growth which will have risen by 7% for the same period. With rising life expectancy, this trend is expected to continue, particularly as the Baby Boomers move into older age. The latest projections shows that around 616,100 people will be over 90 in 2020. 30 years ago (in 1990) this figure was 237,900
Tower Hamlets in London will have the lowest percentage of over 90s in the UK. Just 0.26%, or around one in 400, of its population will be aged 90 and over in 2020.
While no regions in Scotland or Northern Ireland make the top 10, East Dunbartonshire, an area in West Scotland, has experienced the largest percentage increase in people over 90 in the last 10 years (table 2). Since 2010, the proportion of people age 90 and over in the area has almost doubled (95% increase)
Top 10 UK areas with the highest proportion of population 90 years and over (2020)
Table 1: Aegon analysis, ONS population projections
Top 10 UK areas with the highest change in the proportion of the population 90 years and over (2010-2020)
Table 2: Aegon analysis, ONS population estimates and projections
Steven Cameron, Pensions director at Aegon comments: “Improved life expectancies across the UK are something to celebrate but as our population ages it’s important to remember that a longer life requires more money to fund it. The latest figures show there’s a real possibility we’ll need to plan for an income to last well into our 90s. Many areas of the UK have experienced a boom in the number of those living beyond 90 and in the last ten years, growth in this age group has significantly outpaced increases in the wider UK population.
“Our ageing society brings with it significant challenges, particularly with issues such as social care and access to public services and it’s important to recognise that demands will vary across the different areas of the UK. Aegon analysis shows areas in the South East such as the New Forest have a much higher than average population over 90 than those in London such as Tower Hamlets, where just 0.26% of the population will be aged 90 and over in 2020. In the latest Queen’s Speech, the government has repeated its commitment to reforming adult social care and we hope this will now lead to a concerted cross-party action to solve this crisis.
“Living beyond 90 is no longer a rare occurrence. 1 in 5 boys and 1 in 4 girls born today are projected to live to 100 and in 50 years’ time this is expected to be around half for new-born babies. It is crucial, therefore, we built these changes into our financial planning so we are not caught short in retirement.
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