The UK's Ageing Population

Despite the UK's growing health inequality and stalling life expectancy the average age of the population is still growing. By 2037 it is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the UK will be aged over 65.

The Office for National Statistics has released an interactive map which visualizes how the population is ageing across the UK over time. The Broad Age Group Percentage map allows you to view the changing percentages of different age groups in each local authority area by year. The data includes population estimates from 1997-2017 and population projections from 2017-2037.

Alongside this interactive map, showing a choropleth view of the percentages of different age groups across the UK, the ONS has also created this interactive population pyramid.



Select a local authority area and you can view an animated visualization showing how the percentage of the different ages of the local population is changing over time. The animated population pyramid for every local authority area provides an effective visualization of how the 1960's baby boomer generation swells successive age groups over time. It also partly shows why, as this group approaches retirement age, the average age of the UK as a whole is going up.