OAPS' 20% growth spurt

Census shows surge in over-65s as populations grows by 3.5m

- STEPHEN WHITE

THE population of England and Wales has gone up 3.5 million in 10 years - and almost one in every five people is now over 65.

Figures from the 2021 census show the population increased by 6.3% to 59.6 million in the past decade.

The number of over-65s has risen by more than 20% from 9.2million to 11.1million. In North Norfolk, more than a third of people are above the traditional retirement age. In all, there are 56 areas where over-65s make up at least 25% of the population, up from just seven in 2011.