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Changes predicted in North East communities

Figures published to coincide with UK Older People’s Day on Wednesday have revealed the changing make-up of North East communities.

Over the next 20 years a 45% increase is predicted in the number of people in the region aged 65 or over, from 436,000 to 632,700, whilst the number of young people under the age of 25 is set to fall by around 8,000.

Chester-le-Street, Alnwick and Tynedale are likely to see the older generation becoming the dominant group in their communities, with more people 65 and over living there than people under 25. Alnwick will see a 71% increase in the percentage of the population over 65, the highest in the region, with Tynedale (68%), Blyth (62%) and Stockton (62%) also expected to see significant increases in the numbers of older residents.

Sunderland is likely to have the largest population of older people with more than 65,000 residents over 65 and it is also expected to see the biggest drop in the young population - a fall of around 11%. South Tyneside (-10%), Chester-le-Street (-8%) and Middlesbrough (-7.7%) are also predicted to experience decreases in the numbers of young people.

Older People’s Day aimed to recognise the role older people play in society and learn from their knowledge and experience. As part of this younger generations were called upon to strengthen their ties with the older people in their lives.

Pensions Minister Mike O’Brien said: “Swapping stories, skills and ideas across generations gives us an opportunity to discover what we all have in common and appreciate the role older people play in our lives and our communities.

“From allotments to local choirs, it is these shared passions that help bring people of all ages together. Socialising with people of different generations can help to strengthen local communities and make sure older people aren’t isolated or excluded.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .