Remarkable news: more people in the UK are living beyond 90, with men catching up to women! The male 90+ crowd has more than doubled from 97,570 in 2004 to a whopping 210,520 in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of women aged 90+ grew by a third, reaching 414,720 from 309,300 in the same period.
This trend is shifting the gender balance among the UK’s elderly. Back in 2004, men made up just 24% of the 90+ age group, but now they make up nearly 34%. Over the past 20 years, the total population of those aged 90 and above has soared by over 50%, hitting a record 625,240. We’ve also seen the number of centenarians double, reaching 16,650!
The gender shift extends to centenarians (those 100+), with men now making up 18.4% compared to 10.9% two decades ago. Improvements in life expectancy and birth patterns over the years are largely behind this trend, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Even though women’s life expectancy is still higher, men are catching up at a faster rate.
Factors like better living standards, public health, and advances in medical treatments contribute to these changes, says ONS statistician Kerry Gadsdon. The increase in people reaching these grand ages is partly due to ongoing improvements in mortality rates over the decades.
Regionally, Wales boasts the highest rate of centenarians in the UK, with 25.9 per 100,000 people. Northern Ireland trails with 15.3 per 100,000, largely due to higher fertility rates creating a younger demographic. This fascinating shift in our ageing population highlights some incredible advancements and lifestyle improvements that continue to impact us all.