Centenarian Population Soars to Historic Heights
The United Kingdom is witnessing a historic demographic shift as England and Wales celebrate record numbers of residents reaching their 100th birthday, according to new statistical data that highlights both opportunities and planning considerations for residential and nursing care providers.
Official population estimates reveal that 15,330 people aged 100 and above were living in England and Wales during 2024, marking a significant 4% increase from the previous year’s figure of 14,800. This milestone represents more than double the centenarian population recorded two decades ago, when just 7,630 people had reached their centenary.
The remarkable growth trajectory shows a 38% increase over the past five years alone, demonstrating the accelerating trend of extreme longevity that care providers are increasingly encountering in their daily operations.
Statistical experts attribute much of this growth to historical birth patterns, particularly the surge in births following the conclusion of World War One in 1918. This demographic phenomenon created a notable increase in centenarian numbers during 2020 and 2021, as those post-war babies reached their 100th birthdays.
As birth rates subsequently declined in the early 1920s, the rate of new centenarians has moderated in recent years, though overall numbers continue their upward trajectory.
Kerry Gadsdon from the Office for National Statistics explains the underlying factors: “The continuing growth in centenarian numbers reflects decades of mortality improvements, with more individuals surviving to advanced ages due to medical advances, enhanced living standards, and public health developments.”
The data reveals a persistent but diminishing gender divide among England and Wales’ oldest residents. Women continue to significantly outnumber men in the centenarian category, with 12,500 females compared to 2,830 males – equivalent to 4.4 women for every man reaching 100.
However, this represents the narrowest gender gap since comparable records began in 2002. The ratio has decreased substantially from 8.1 women per man in 2004 and 5.7 women per man as recently as 2014.
This convergence reflects a 55% increase in male centenarians over the past decade, compared to a 17% rise among females, suggesting evolving longevity patterns that care providers should factor into their long-term planning strategies.
The trend extends beyond centenarians to the broader population of extremely elderly residents. England and Wales now host 563,610 people aged 90 and above – a 2% annual increase that establishes another all-time record.
This represents a 13% growth since 2014 and a substantial 53% increase since 2004, indicating sustained demand for specialist care services catering to the oldest age groups.
While women aged 90-plus still outnumber men by approximately two to one (373,910 versus 189,700), this ratio has also narrowed considerably from previous decades, falling from 3.1 women per man in 2004 to the current 2.0 ratio.
Stephen Lowe, group communications director at retirement specialist Just Group, said that the latest population estimates highlight the increasing numbers living into their 90s and beyond.
“There was a strong rise in the number of people aged 90+ of nearly 12,000 in 2024, taking the overall total to 563,610. Men are making up an increasing proportion of those reaching age 90+, increasing to one in two now from about one in three 20 years ago.
“There were 15,330 people aged over 100 of which nearly four in five (77%) were women. Again, men have been catching up with a tripling in the numbers aged 100+ to 2,830 over the last 20 years while there has been a near doubling in the number of women to 12,500 over the same period.”
He said that the figures highlight the importance of the government responding to the needs of the rising population of older people.
“The need for reform of the later life social care system has been known for years, but the reality has been policy paralysis with planned reforms kicked down the road or abandoned. We now have another government-appointed commission looking at the options for England but it won’t make final recommendations until 2028.
“In the meantime, it is the people needing care and their families who are taking up the slack. Research for the annual Just Group Care Report found that, among those over-45s who had been involved in finding care for an elderly parent or relative, two-thirds (66%) were surprised how little financial support the State provides and four in five (83%) were shocked at the high cost of care.
“We all aspire to having a reasonable level of comfort and quality of life in our dotage but it is difficult to see how that can be achieved giving the growing numbers requiring support and the lack of government action.”
