City's population rapidly ageing - statistics

The number of people in Doncaster aged 65 or above is expected to surpass those aged 18 and under for the first time next year, according to new statistics.

Figures from Doncaster's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) - which collates data about people in the city - shows the gap between the two age groups has been dramatically reducing in recent years.

According to the JSNA, in 2016, there were 66,448 people in Doncaster aged 18 or under, compared with 58,810 aged 65 or over, but while there are now 67,010 people in the younger age group, there are 66,460 in the older group.

In 2026, those aged 65 or over would exceed people aged 18 and under by more than 1,000, the figures suggested.

The JSNA website stated that this change was "going to affect the way the council supports the people of Doncaster".

It was "going to be more important than ever to meet the needs of the older people in the borough", it added.

The disparity between the groups is projected to grow at a rapid rate, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

By 2030, people aged 65 or over were expected to outnumber those 18 and under by nearly 9,000, while in 2040 that number would be nearly 19,000.

JSNA data has played a significant role in informing the Director of Public Health's Annual Report 2024, which is due to be presented to the council's Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday.

The report is expected to detail the picture of public health in Doncaster, including positives and any issues it is facing, as well as details about how public health could be improved.

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