Older people: introduction

[Older people are defined variously as over 60 or 65 years of age]

Ageing population

Scotland’s population is ageing, with the number of people aged 65 and over having steadily increased since the 1970s. At the same time there are fewer younger people, meaning Scotland’s age structure is moving towards older ages (Projected Population of Scotland 2022-based, National Records for Scotland). In mid-2023, there were over one million people aged 65 and over in Scotland (20.3%) (Mid-2023 population estimates, National Records of Scotland).

The biggest change in age structure is for the oldest age groups. It is projected that the number of people aged 75 and over will rise by 341,300 over the 25 year period between mid-2022 and mid-2047 (Projected Population of Scotland 2022-based, National Records for Scotland).

Pension age

The pension age has changed a number of times since 1953; for both men and women the pension age will increase to 67 for those born between 1961 – 1977 and to 68 for those born after 1978. Existing health inequalities mean some population groups are less likely to still be in good health in the later stages of their working life than others.

Impact of an ageing population

With an ageing population there is likely to be a decline in the proportion of the population who are in good health. Healthy life expectancy has been declining in Scotland for both males and females in recent years (Healthy Life Expectancy 2019-2021, National Records for Scotland (602KB)).

Unpaid carers

The ageing population means more people are living longer with long-term limiting illness and need to be cared for. Census data shows that the number of unpaid carers in Scotland was 627,700 in 2022, having increased by 27.5% (135,500) since 2011 (Scotland’s Census 2022 - Health, disability and unpaid care | Scotland's Census).

Older people are more likely to be carers themselves, often caring for partners, younger family members or, in some cases, their parents, which has an impact on their own health and wellbeing.

Mobility

Older people may have mobility issues related to physical frailty (including from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis), sight loss, loss of a partner who can drive, or lack of access to a car.  The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) works to provide advice on the planning and regulation of transport facilities to ensure that they are accessible for those with a mobility problem.

Finance

Approximately two thirds of older households reported in 2019 to be  managing well financially (Scottish Household Survey, 2019). However, 15% of pensioners were in relative poverty (after housing costs) in Scotland 2021-24 (Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland 2021-24).

For some older people, there may be costs incurred to enable people to live independently into old age.