Northern Ireland faces first year where seniors outnumber children, report warns
A new report predicts that by mid-2027 people aged 65 and over will exceed those under 16 in Northern Ireland, urging immediate policy action.
Siobhan Casey, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, issued the "Ready Or Not: The Ageing Population" report forecasting that seniors will outnumber children for the first time by mid-2027. The study projects a 44.7% increase in the 65-plus cohort, from 349,200 in 2024 to 505,200 by 2049, with those over 85 more than doubling. It identifies growing strains on health and social care, a 91% rise in food-bank use among older adults, shrinking social-housing capacity and a 23% drop in residential and nursing beds per 100 seniors over 15 years.
Dementia prevalence is expected to rise faster than in any other UK region. Casey urges the government to embed ageing demographics into long-term planning across housing, transport, employment and public finances to avoid overwhelming services.
Why it matters
An ageing population will reshape health, housing and economic policies across Northern Ireland.
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