Britain is getting older — but not everywhere at the same pace. This visual brief shows where the share of residents aged 65+ is highest, why some regions age faster, and what it means for the NHS, care and the economy.
Interactive Map: Ageing by UK Region (share of residents 65+)
Bands below are illustrative, reflecting long-running ONS patterns (South West/Wales older; London younger). For exact latest figures, see the Sources section.
At a glance: Older vs Younger UK Nations/Regions (latest % aged 65+)
Latest public estimates (mid-2024 unless noted): South West 23.0%; Wales 21.7%; Scotland 20.5%; England (excl London) 19.9%; Northern Ireland 18.1%; London Outer 13.8%; London Inner 9.5%.
UK 65+ share is rising
National trend (illustrative line, replace with latest ONS series if desired):
Why some regions age faster
- Internal migration: younger workers cluster in London and big cities; older adults move to coastal/rural areas.
- Retirement hotspots: South West England, parts of the East of England and coastal Wales attract retirees.
- Economy & housing: affordability and job mix (tourism/services vs industry) shape who stays or moves.
- Healthcare access: rural GP/care-staff gaps can influence longer-term settlement for older adults.
What it means for health, care and the economy
- NHS & social care demand: more long-term conditions and multi-morbidities increase pressure on services.
- Workforce planning: regions with more over-65s need more carers, community nurses and geriatric specialists.
- Housing & transport: accessible homes, community hubs and reliable transport are critical to ageing well.
- Local economies: retail, leisure and health sectors shift to serve older demographics.
What’s next: smarter ageing support
- Digital & remote care: NHS England’s virtual wards and home monitoring help people age in place.
- Assistive tech & AI: UKRI-funded pilots test robotics, falls sensors and AI medication reminders.
- Prevention first: ICSs scale community activity, strength training and social-prescribing to delay frailty.
By 2030, the South West could be among the oldest regions in Northern Europe by age structure.
Quick poll
Is Britain ready for an ageing population?
Sources & further reading (official)
- ONS – Population estimates
- ONS – Subnational population projections
- NHS England – Virtual wards
- NHS Confederation – Social care workforce
- UKRI – Healthy Ageing programmes
- Regional % cited: South West (23.0%) – Centre for Ageing Better, State of Ageing 2025; Wales (21.7%) – Welsh Government mid-2024; Scotland (20.5%) – NRS mid-2024; NI (18.1%) – NISRA; England (excl London) 19.9% and London split (Outer 13.8%, Inner 9.5%) – Trust for London.
