§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what projections he has of the total numbers and percentage of the United Kingdom population who will be(a) over 60 years old and (b) over 75 years old in the years 2000, 2010 and 2020; and what is the total number and percentage of the United Kingdom population who are currently 50 years of age or older.
§ Mr. FreemanThe most recent (1988-based) projections of the Government Actuary are as follows:
Thousands Aged 60 and over Aged 75 and over Year Number Per cent. Number Per cent. 1990 11,884 20.7 3,985 6.9 2000 12,017 20.3 4,369 7.4 2010 13,214 22.1 4,461 7.4 2020 14,400 23.7 4,730 7.8 At mid-1988 the United Kingdom population aged 50 or older was estimated to be 17,878,000 or 31.3 per cent.