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Number of centenarians in England and Wales grows by a fifth in decade as birth rates plunge to lowest in nearly half a century
The number of centenarians in England and Wales has risen by around a fifth over the past decade, new figures show, even as the country's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1978. The trend highlights a significant demographic shift, with a growing elderly population placing greater demands on health and social care systems, while shrinking numbers of new births raise longer-term concerns about the size of the future workforce and the sustainability of pension and care funding.
Despite record low birth rates, the overall population of England and Wales has reached a record 62 million, driven largely by immigration, even though more than 600,000 people emigrated abroad over the same period. The combination of rising longevity and falling births is reshaping the age structure of the population, with implications for planning around care homes, pensions and public services in the years ahead.
In short
- Centenarian numbers up around 20% in England and Wales over a decade.
- Birth rates hit their lowest level since 1978.
- Population still reached a record 62 million, aided by immigration.
Explained simply
England and Wales is undergoing a significant change in its population structure. The number of people living to 100 or beyond has risen substantially over the past decade, whilst birth rates have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 50 years. These two trends are occurring simultaneously.
People are living longer because of improvements in healthcare and living standards. At the same time, fewer babies are being born, which changes the balance of ages within the population. Immigration has helped the overall population continue to grow, despite the lower birth rate.
This matters because countries rely on working-age people to fund pensions and public services that support the elderly. When the proportion of elderly people increases relative to the working-age population, it creates challenges for how those services are funded and sustained in the future.