HL Deb 17 October 2000 vol 617 cc79-80WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated total number of people, of men over 65 and women over 60 separately, in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement at the latest available date; what were the comparable figures in each decade since 1940; and what is the estimated number in each future decade to the year 2050. [HL4000]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated 17 October 2000.

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question about the estimated total number of people in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement.

The attached table shows the estimated total numbers of men and women in the United Kingdom over the age of retirement from 1931 to 1999. These figures have been supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The projected figures for men and women from 2001–2050 have been supplied by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). These projected figures are from the 1998-based national population projections.

Between 2010 and 2020, state retirement age will change from 65 years for men and 60 years for women, to 65 years for both sexes (Pensions Act 1995, Chapter 26 Pt II, Section 126 Schedule 4), The table shows the historic and projected numbers of females aged over 60 and aged over 65, and for any given year the number of females over the official retirement age.

United Kingdom—Estimates of the Population of State Retirement Age (thousands)
Men 65 + Women 60 + Women of state retirement age) Women Aged 65 +
19311 1,470 2,950 (2,950) 1,947
19511 2,247 4,580 (4,580) 3,218
19612 2,385 5,362 (5,362) 3,824
19712 2,841 6,282 (6,282) 4,567
19812 3,327 6,708 (6,708) 5,149
19912 3,639 6,963 (6,963) 5,465
19992 3,845 6,908 (6,908) 5,448
20013 3,911 6,889 (6,889) 5,431
20113 4,513 7,636 (7,401) 5,694
20213 5,562 8,659 (6,648) 6,648
20313 6,830 10,086 (7,923) 7,923
20413 7,389 10,255 (8,470) 8,470
20503 7,226 10,316 (8,330) 8,330
1 Population enumerated at the census. There was no census in 1941.
2 Estimated mid-year population.
3 1998-based national population projections.
4 Between 2010 and 2020, state retirement age will change from 65 years for men and 60 years for women, to 65 years for both sexes.

Source: Population Estimates Unit, ONS Annual Abstract of Statistics 1999 edition, Government Actuary's Department.

Crown Copyright 2000.