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Centenarians reach a record high | Centenarians reach a record high |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The number of people living beyond 100 years has reached a record high in England and Wales, according to official figures. | The number of people living beyond 100 years has reached a record high in England and Wales, according to official figures. |
The Office for National Statistics says there are now 9,000 "centenarians" - a 90-fold increase since 1911. | The Office for National Statistics says there are now 9,000 "centenarians" - a 90-fold increase since 1911. |
Estimates suggest this will carry on rising to 40,000 by 2031. | Estimates suggest this will carry on rising to 40,000 by 2031. |
The rapid increase in the number of very elderly people began in the 1950s and is due to improvements in housing, healthcare, nutrition and sanitation. | The rapid increase in the number of very elderly people began in the 1950s and is due to improvements in housing, healthcare, nutrition and sanitation. |
The proportion of the population above the age of 70 has been rising steadily, and is expected to rise further. | The proportion of the population above the age of 70 has been rising steadily, and is expected to rise further. |
The over-90s are now the fastest growing age group. | |
Experts say this is likely to place a far greater burden on the health service, as the costs of catering for diseases of the elderly such as cancer and dementia rise too. | Experts say this is likely to place a far greater burden on the health service, as the costs of catering for diseases of the elderly such as cancer and dementia rise too. |
The same increases have been happening in other industrialised countries, the ONS says. | The same increases have been happening in other industrialised countries, the ONS says. |
There used to be proportionately more female to male centenarians - seven women for every man. | There used to be proportionately more female to male centenarians - seven women for every man. |
However but this ratio is now beginning to fall as survival to this age becomes more common. | However but this ratio is now beginning to fall as survival to this age becomes more common. |
Greater male effect | |
Recent improvements in death rates have been greater for men than for women. | Recent improvements in death rates have been greater for men than for women. |
It's hard to know whether these extra years are providing extra years of good health Dr Lorna LaywoodHelp the Aged | |
Although the rate at which the number of centenarians increased actually fell between 1981 and 2000, this reflects a slowing down in the birth rate a century earlier, rather than a worsening of the lifestyle and living conditions which contribute to long life. | Although the rate at which the number of centenarians increased actually fell between 1981 and 2000, this reflects a slowing down in the birth rate a century earlier, rather than a worsening of the lifestyle and living conditions which contribute to long life. |
There were only 100 centenarians in 1911 - up to 1940, the annual increase was 1.9%, rising to approximately 6% between 1941 and the 1990s, 4.5% during the 1990s and 5.8% since 2002. | There were only 100 centenarians in 1911 - up to 1940, the annual increase was 1.9%, rising to approximately 6% between 1941 and the 1990s, 4.5% during the 1990s and 5.8% since 2002. |
The ONS expects that the number of over-100s in England and Wales will rise an average of 6% per year, quadrupling the current number by the 2030s. | The ONS expects that the number of over-100s in England and Wales will rise an average of 6% per year, quadrupling the current number by the 2030s. |
Dr Lorna Layward, from Help the Aged, said: "It's hard to know whether these extra years are providing extra years of good health. | |
"Hopefully, with better medical provision, these extra years can be happy and healthy." | |
Emma Soames, the editor of Saga Magazine, said: "The government has got to get its act together, because the care services in this country are really not fit for purpose at the moment. | |
"We have a whole generation in their 50s and 60s who are looking after elderly relatives." |