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Why are older people happier where they live? Why are older people happier where they live?
(7 months later)
Are older people happier where they live? A new report out today from the Office for National Statistics appears to show they are.Are older people happier where they live? A new report out today from the Office for National Statistics appears to show they are.
In fact, the over-50s are more likely to feel they have a sense of belonging in their neighbourhood than the population as a whole. And women even more so than men.In fact, the over-50s are more likely to feel they have a sense of belonging in their neighbourhood than the population as a whole. And women even more so than men.
It's part of the government's £2m a year wellbeing program. The ONS was asked by the Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010 to find out how to do this - as part of a £2m a year wellbeing project.It's part of the government's £2m a year wellbeing program. The ONS was asked by the Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010 to find out how to do this - as part of a £2m a year wellbeing project.
In fact, the percentage of older people who agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood increased with age, from 69% of those aged 50 to 54 to 84% of those aged 70 and over. In 2009–10, 69% of people aged 50 to 54 in the UK agreed or strongly agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood. This rose to 84% for those aged 70 and over. In each older age group the percentage agreeing that they belonged to their neighbourhood was higher than the average for all respondents aged 16 and over (66%).In fact, the percentage of older people who agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood increased with age, from 69% of those aged 50 to 54 to 84% of those aged 70 and over. In 2009–10, 69% of people aged 50 to 54 in the UK agreed or strongly agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood. This rose to 84% for those aged 70 and over. In each older age group the percentage agreeing that they belonged to their neighbourhood was higher than the average for all respondents aged 16 and over (66%).
A higher proportion of women (68%) agreed or strongly agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood than men (64%).A higher proportion of women (68%) agreed or strongly agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood than men (64%).
It matters because people who feel they belong where they live are also more likely to be happier. Some 82% of those aged 50 and over who agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood were satisfied with their lives. For thsoe who did not feel they belonged, the rate was 53%.It matters because people who feel they belong where they live are also more likely to be happier. Some 82% of those aged 50 and over who agreed that they belonged to their neighbourhood were satisfied with their lives. For thsoe who did not feel they belonged, the rate was 53%.
Those feelings of belonging may be related to the numbers of friends people have - older people have more friends than the population as a whole, and women have more friends than men.Those feelings of belonging may be related to the numbers of friends people have - older people have more friends than the population as a whole, and women have more friends than men.
The ONS report that:The ONS report that:
Overall, 60% of respondents aged 16 and over reported that local friends meant a lot to them, with women (64%) more likely to report this than men (57%). Of those aged 50 to 54 years old, 64% agreed or strongly agreed that local friends meant a lot to them. This rose to over 80% of those aged 70 and over. In each older age group a larger percentage of respondents said that local friends meant a lot to them than the average for all aged 16 and overOverall, 60% of respondents aged 16 and over reported that local friends meant a lot to them, with women (64%) more likely to report this than men (57%). Of those aged 50 to 54 years old, 64% agreed or strongly agreed that local friends meant a lot to them. This rose to over 80% of those aged 70 and over. In each older age group a larger percentage of respondents said that local friends meant a lot to them than the average for all aged 16 and over
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