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Estimating the changing population of the 'oldest old'
Ercilia Dini1, Shayla Goldring
1Office for National Statistics.
Population Trends
|August 15, 2008
Summary
England and Wales
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Gerontology
- Population Studies
Background:
- The population of England and Wales is aging.
- There is a growing need for data on the oldest age groups.
- The increase in centenarians requires detailed demographic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in the population aged 90 and over in England and Wales.
- To identify demographic factors contributing to the rise in centenarians.
- To validate Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized recently released ONS population estimates for individuals aged 90 and over.
- Analyzed demographic trends and causes for the increase in centenarians.
- Cross-validated ONS estimates with data from other sources.
Main Results:
- Detailed trends in the "oldest old" population (90+) are presented.
- Demographic drivers behind the significant increase in centenarians during the 20th century are identified.
- ONS estimates show good agreement with other data sources, confirming their reliability.
Conclusions:
- The aging population necessitates robust data on the oldest age segments.
- Demographic shifts have led to a notable rise in centenarians.
- ONS estimates provide a reliable resource for studying population aging.
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