Ageing society
The structure of our society is changing. More of us are living longer than ever before.
Life expectancy has been growing steadily for over half a century and the UK has now reached a point where there are more people over State Pension age than children. In 1950, a man aged 65 could expect on average to live to the age of 76. Today, he can expect to live to 87, and by 2050 to 91. Today there are 10,000 people aged 100 or over. By 2050 there will be 275,000. By 2030, people over 50 will comprise almost a third of the workforce and almost half the adult population.
An ageing society is no longer on the horizon, it is here with us today.
These pages give more information about DWP-led initiatives responding to the challenges and opportunities of our ageing society.
- Products, tools and good practice – resources for professionals to help respond to our ageing society.
- Forums and support activity on ageing – the UK Advisory Forum on Ageing provides a two-way channel of communication between Government and citizens on ageing issues.
- Ageing Well – supporting local authorities to improve their services for older people.
- Evidence, Research and Statistics – research from academics, think tanks, and Government evaluations which are informing policy around ageing in the UK.
- Ageing in the workplace – information, resources and policy related to meeting the challenges and maximising the opportunities of our ageing workforce.
- Digital inclusion – promoting internet usage for older people in sheltered housing.
- International – information about the world-wide response to demographic challenge and the UK Government’s involvement with associated international institutions.
- European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations – information about the year and how to get involved
- Full of Life – UK Older People’s Day, under the "Full of Life" banner, is the focus of a wide programme of activity, celebrating later life.
- Ageing society contacts.
