Over 14,500 Centenarians in UK

The number of people aged 100, or over, has quadrupled over the last two decades, the Office for National Statistics has confirmed.

18:56 30 September 2016

The number of centenarians has increased by four times in the last 20 years. In the last decade, the number of people aged 100, or over, has jumped by 65per cent. The Office for National Statistics also confirmed the dramatic increase in number of people aged over 105. Last year, there were 850 reaching the age of 105, up from just 130 in 1985.

 

The numbers were part of the information published by statisticians on the life expectancy of the UK population. Based on the report, life expectancy has increased by 13 weeks a year since the 1980 to 1982 period for males and by 9.5 weeks a year on average for females.

 

Meanwhile, the number of people aged 90 and over in the UK has reached half a million.

 

Responding to the figures, minister for pensions Richard Harrington said: "It is fantastic news that more people are living longer lives.

 

"I want everyone to be able to enjoy their retirement, but as people live longer it's even more important that they have a pension to help provide financial security in later life."