Thaindian News

London, Oct 1 (IANS) Britain will have nearly 90,000 people over the age of 100 in the next 24 years, authorities have said.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a report that Britain’s population is ageing and there were already a record number of people aged 100 or over.

Since 1981 the number of those who are over 100 has more than quadrupled from 2,600 to 11,600, the Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

The ONS said that the number of centenarians in the country is expected to reach 87,900 by mid-2034.

Though the increased longevity is a reason for celebration for many, it is posing a problem for health professionals and pension officers.

“The growing number of people aged 100 and over is cause for real celebration. However, increased lifespan alone is not a measure of real progress. People in later life don’t simply want to live longer, they also want to live better,” Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, was quoted as saying.

“For this to happen, we all need to help in breaking down the ageist barriers that make older people second-class citizens and building a world where they can flourish,” she added.

“The growth of an older population will also mean significant challenges for policy-makers in terms of funding and investing in the sort of services which an ageing society will rely on. There is no excuse for not planning ahead to ensure that health, care, pension and other services are able to meet the needs of an ageing population,” Mitchell said.