Future of an Ageing Population

This Foresight and Government Office for Science report brings together the evidence that will help policymakers to develop the policies needed to adapt to the demographic change of the UK. It gathers the best available evidence to understand what the ageing of the UK population means both now and in the future.

The report states that by 2037 there are projected to be 1.42m more households headed by someone aged 85 or over - an increase of 161% over 25 years. Moreover, suitable housing can maximise the ageing population's positive contribution to the success and resilience of the UK, while unsuitable housing is the source of multiple problems and costs.

It includes a section on 'Homes and Neighbourhoods' which draws on latest research and literature on the changing demand for housing and how it can best be met, the importance of the wider neighbourhood and how homes can better support better health and care, and the use of assistive technologies to aid social, physical and technological connectivity.