Public Health Liverpool

Age well

The focus of prevention in older age groups is around healthy active ageing and supporting independence, so older people are able to enjoy long and healthy lives, feeling safe at home and connected to their community.  

Key facts

  • In 2023, there were 76,862 Liverpool residents who were aged over 65 years (ONS, 2025), which represents a 12.6% rise over the last decade.
  • Since 2013, the largest increase in the older population has occurred in the 70 to 74-years age group (+23.8%) while the 85+ years cohort has risen by +12.2%.
  • On average, men born in Liverpool can expect to live to 75.9 years while women born in Liverpool can expect to live to 79.7 years, both significantly below the England average and the 2nd lowest out of the Core Cities after Manchester.
  • Men in Liverpool can expect to live to 55.7 years in good health and women to 56.1 years, both 5.8 years less than men and women in England.
  • In our poorest areas, people live 14 years less and 18 years longer in poor health than people in our most affluent areas.
  • Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, and significantly impact on long term outcomes. In 2023/24, Liverpool had the 8th highest rate in the country for falls injuries among older people, with around 2,040 emergency hospital admissions.
  • Hip fracture is a debilitating condition – only one in three sufferers return to their former levels of independence and one in three ends up leaving their own home and moving to long-term care. In 2023/25, there were 480 people aged 65 and over who experienced a hip fracture. The Liverpool admission rate for hip fractures in older people is the 10th highest in England (656 per 100,000 versus 547 per 100,000).
  • In 2023/24 there were 3,359 people with dementia, which was significantly lower than nationally (0.6% versus 0.8%).
  • The Census 2021 showed almost one in ten people aged 5 and over in Liverpool provide unpaid care (44,178 people), the highest level among the Core Cities and significantly above the England average (9.6% versus 8.8%).
  • Latest figures show deaths among older persons aged 85 and over in the city were 11.4% higher in the winter compared to the non-winter periods which is in line with England (11.3%).
  • Around 36,629 households are fuel poor which is significantly higher than England (17.2% compared to 13.1%).

Liverpool information

Liverpool City Region (LCR)

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities profiles