New NISRA projections show that the population of Northern Ireland is ageing rapidly. The population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by almost half (44.7%) in the next 25 years. The population aged 85 and over is projected to more than double (increasing by 126.1%) over the same period. As soon as 2027, there is projected to be more people aged 65 and over than children aged 0-15.
Age NI's Charity Director Mandy Wilson said:
"These figures confirm what older people and services are already experiencing on the ground – a rapidly ageing society that requires urgent planning and investment.
With the number of people aged 65 and over set to overtake children within the next year, and those aged 85 and above projected to more than double, we would warn that health, social care and community supports must be redesigned now to meet rising and more complex needs.
We stress that longer lives must be matched with longer healthy lives, calling for a clear, cross‑government strategy focused on prevention, workforce planning and supporting older people to live independently with dignity, rather than allowing pressures to escalate into crisis."