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Older People Topic Data

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The population of Dorset, like the rest of the UK, is ageing. This trend is more pronounced in Dorset due to its larger older population and declining birth rate. The median age in Dorset is now 52.3, an increase of almost 5 years since 2011. In comparison, the median age for England and Wales is 40.5, up by one year.1 1

Typically Older People refers to those who are no longer of working age, traditionally 65 and older. However, with increased life expectancy, more people are either having to work or choosing to work beyond the traditional retirement age.

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Population

  • The population of those aged between 65 and 79 has grown by 20% between 2014 and 2024 and is expected to grow a further 14% to 2034. Those aged 80+ have grown by 23% between 2014 and 2024 and are projected to grow a further 38% to 20342.
  • Nationwide migration of older people is driven by movement out of urban areas to rural and coastal areas. Net migration figures in Dorset are highest for the 60-64 year old age group3.
  • The Old Age Dependency Ratio (OADR) is the number of people over 65 years old for every 1,000 people aged between 16 and 64 years old. In England and Wales the OADR is 297, while in Dorset, it is 5371.
  • Nationally, 29% of household growth from 2018 to 2043 will involve householders over 75. In Dorset, this figure is 110%. This suggests that Dorset will see a doubling in households in this age group whilst for age groups under 55 household growth will fall.
10 Year Population Projection
10 Year Population Projection

Life Expectancy

  • Life expectancy has been increasing at a slower rate in recent years. People aged 65 in Dorset can expect to live for a further 22.5 years for women and 19.8 years for men.5
  • People are living longer and healthier lives. In Dorset, healthy life expectancy at 65 is above average. Women can expect 19 more years in good/fairly good health, and men 16 years.
  • The life expectancy gap between Dorset’s most and least deprived areas is 6.3 years for males and 5.3 years for females.7
  • In Dorset, around 12,000 people aged 65+ are economically active and employed. This represents nearly 11% of this age group, indicating later retirement trends.
  • Additionally, 7% of the economically active population in Dorset are 65 or older, compared to 4% in England and Wales. This highlights a growing reliance on older individuals within the workforce.8
  • According to Census 2021 32% of the 35,500 unpaid carers were aged 65 and over compared to 23% for England and Wales. As the population ages there will be increased need for informal care.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy

Living well10

  • Some areas of Dorset experience higher levels of Living Environment deprivation. Older people and disabled people are more likely to need adaptations to enable them to live independently. Higher numbers of Listed properties and Conservation Areas can restrict the feasibility of making necessary changes.
  • Dorset’s older people account for almost one third of its population. Levels of internal net migration are highest in older age groups, particularly those aged 55 to 69 years, while levels of net out migration are particularly high for 18 to 29 year olds. This means there will be fewer people to work in the economy and care for our ageing population.
  • As the population ages and more older people experience disabilities and health issues, the need for specialist housing will increase. It’s estimated that 20% of all housing will need to be for older people. By 2038, there will be a projected shortfall of 2,800 specialist bedspaces.

Headline Figures

33,752

Population of 80+ year olds in 2023

30%

Aged 65+ in Dorset

19%

Aged 65+ in England & Wales

1.9% pa

Growth in those aged 65+ over next decade

81 years

Life expectancy for males

85 years

Life expectancy for females

Headline Figures

33,752

Population of 80+ year olds in 2023

30%

Aged 65+ in Dorset

19%

Aged 65+ in England & Wales

1.9% pa

Growth in those aged 65+ over next decade

81 years

Life expectancy for males

85 years

Life expectancy for females

Sources

  • 1 2023 Mid-year estimates, Office for National Statistics
  • 2 2020-based trend population projections, DC
  • 3 2021 MYE Internal Migraion Estimates, ONS
  • 4 2018 based Household Projections, ONS
  • 5 Life expectancy at 65 (3 year range, 2020-2022), ONS/Public Health
  • 6 Healthy Life Expectancy (2020-22), ONS/Public Health
  • 7 Office for Health Improvement and Disparity (2020), Public Health England
  • 8 Census 2021
  • 9 Dorset and BCP Local Housing Needs Assessment, 2021

36 Reports

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17 Related Datasets

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  • 2020 Mid-Year Estimates, Unitary Authority, Historical District and above

    Published: 27 July 2021

    Annual Mid-Year Estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics

    Downloads: 773

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  • 2019 Ward Level Population Estimates

    Published: 23 December 2020

    2019 Office for National Statistics Experimental Population Estimates for Dorset wards

    Downloads: 1412

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  • 2019 LSOA Level Mid-Year Estimates

    Published: 08 December 2020

    2019 Population estimates for Lower Super Output Area Geographies in Dorset

    Downloads: 1165

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  • Internal Migration for Mid-Years 2002-2019

    Published: 08 December 2020

    Internal Migration by 5 year age group for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council

    Downloads: 998

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  • Life Expectancy at birth and age 65, 2019

    Published: 07 December 2020

    Life expectancy at birth and age 65 by sex for Local Authority geography and above.

    Downloads: 799

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  • 2018 based Household Projections

    Published: 20 July 2020

    Office for National Statistics 2018 based Household Projections for Dorset

    Downloads: 1829

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  • 2018 based ONS Population Projections for Dorset

    Published: 07 July 2020

    2018 based Office for National Statistics Sub National Population Projections for current and former Dorset geographies in five year age groups.

    Downloads: 1438

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  • 2018 Parish Level Mid Year Population Estimates

    Published: 23 March 2020

    2018 best fit Output Area population to parish geography for all persons by five year age groups.

    Downloads: 1238

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019- National and Dorset Council Ranks

    Published: 03 January 2020

    The English Indices of Deprivation helps identify and prioritise areas to assist the government and other agencies both national and local in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

    Downloads: 2051

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset East Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset East SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1593

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset West Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset West SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 2152

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Mid Dorset Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Mid Dorset SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1772

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - South East Dorset Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across South East Dorset SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 2211

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset North Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset North SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1907

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset South Sub Unitary Geography (SUG) Maps

    Published: 11 December 2019

    This pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset South SUG area for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1463

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  • Indices of Deprivation 2019 - Dorset Council Maps

    Published: 25 November 2019

    The combined map base pdf illustrates national deprivation levels at a small geography across Dorset for 2019. There are sixteen maps which look at a range of components of deprivation including health, income, employment, education and skills, living environment, crime and barriers to housing and services. There is also a multiple deprivation (IMD) map that combines all these aspects of deprivation to give us an overall picture for Dorset. The document also has a number of maps that look at specific aspects (sub domains) such as deprivation affecting children and outdoor living environment.

    Downloads: 1200

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  • POPPI: Projecting Older People Information

    Published: 28 July 2014

    A population based database providing information on older people (external website)

    Downloads: 6592

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