Research and evidence

Age well: older populations data

Explore data on ageing in Liverpool, including health, independence and long-term conditions. 

As Liverpool’s older population continues to grow, supporting people to live longer, healthier lives and reducing inequalities in later life are key priorities.  

Liverpool's ageing population

  • 79,708 residents aged 65+ (16% of the population) 
  • 14% increase in people aged 65+ since 2015 
  • 25% growth in people aged 70-74 
  • 19% growth in people aged 75-79 

What this means

There’s a growing need for services that support healthy ageing, independence and social connection. 

Life expectancy versus healthy life expectancy

Men: 

  • 76.7 years life expectancy 
  • 55.8 years healthy life expectancy 
  • 20.9 years typically spent in poor health  

Women: 

  • 80.6 years life expectancy 
  • 56.7 years healthy life expectancy  
  • 23.9 years typically spent in poor health 

Health inequalities

Residents in the most deprived communities: 

  • live 14 years less 
  • spend 20 more years in poor health 

What this means

Reducing these inequalities is central to improving health and wellbeing. 

Preventing falls

  • 2,240 emergency admissions for falls 
  • Highest rate in England for falls (3,035 per 100,000 older residents) 
  • 490 hip fractures in residents aged 65+ 
  • Only 1 in 3 people return to previous independence after a hip fracture 

What this means

Strength, balance, medication reviews and safer homes all help reduce falls. 

Dementia and long-term conditions

  • 3,618 residents are living with dementia 

Thousands more live with: 

  • heart disease 
  • diabetes 
  • respiratory disease 
  • arthritis 

What this means 

Early diagnosis and support can help people remain independent for longer. 

Unpaid carers

  • 44,000 residents provide unpaid care 
  • 1 in 10 Liverpool residents are carers 
  • 69% of carers are women 
  • 48% are aged over 65 

What this means

Liverpool has the highest proportion of unpaid carers among the Core Cities (the 12 major city councils in the UK outside of London). 

Warm and well

  • Cold homes can increase the risk of illness 
  • 31,810 households estimated to be fuel poor 

What this means

Keeping warm, staying active, maintaining social connections and getting vaccinated are key ways to protect health in winter. 

Further insights and resources:

Liverpool information

Liverpool City Region

North West

Department of Health and Social Care/NHS England