Is Gibraltar's population ageing?

Short answer

Yes. The 2022 Census found more people aged 65 and over (7,155, or 18.9% of residents) than children under 15 (6,428, or 16.9%).

Detailed answer

The number of residents aged 65 and over grew by 36.4% between 2012 and 2022, the fastest growth of any age group. Under-15s grew by 10.2% and people of working age (15 to 64) by 15.3%.

Share of the population by age

• 1970: under 15, 22.9%; 65 and over, 9.4%
• 2012: under 15, 18.1%; 65 and over, 16.3%
• 2022: under 15, 16.9%; 65 and over, 18.9%

The fastest long-term growth is among the very old. There were 1,774 residents aged 80 and over in 2022, compared with 339 in 1970, an increase of 423%.

Most older people live in their own homes. 258 people aged 65 and over were living in a permanent care institution in 2022, 3.6% of the age group, down from 4.0% in 2012. The Statistics Office suggests home care and support from the Government's Care Agency may explain the fall.

The Census report notes that the ageing population has implications for pensions, benefits and Government services, as it does in many other countries. Rising life expectancy is part of the picture: men born in 2022 could expect to live to 83.6 and women to 87.1.