Girls born in 2066 could live to over 100

BRITAIN’S ageing crisis was laid bare yesterday as staggering figures revealed half of all girls born in 2066 can expect to live to 100 or older - almost double the current figure.

The Office for National Statistics said there would be an additional 8.6million people aged 65 and over in 50 years’ time - roughly the size of London.

That would take the total number of pensioners to 20.4m - more than a quarter of the population.

But experts said the fastest increase will be seen in the 85 and over age group with a rise of 1.6m people.

Some 21 per cent of the world’s population – 2.1 billion – will be over 60 by the 2050s.

And those in their 60s report higher levels of well being than most other age groups.

The study also found being born in one of the most disadvantaged areas can cut almost ten years off your life compared to those in the richest areas.

But actually the British population is not “going grey” as fast as many other countries.

Switzerland, the Netherlands and Poland are all ageing more rapidly than the UK.

Half of all the local authorities with the highest proportion of OAPs in the country are in the South West, it emerged yesterday.

The ONS revealed the huge challenge facing coastal communities – as it lifted the lid on the changing nature of Britain’s population.

Nine of the ten councils with the lowest percentage of over 65s are in Greater London.

But five out of ten of those with oldest proportion of over 65s are in the South West with similar trends for those aged 85 plus.

Areas include Christchurch, East Dorset, East Devon, South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.