Looking back over a decade of ILC-UK, and forward to the future of ageing and demographic change
ILC-UK is concerned mostly with demographic change, in particular the implications of increased longevity. While the rise in life expectancy should be celebrated, we must recognise that it represents an enormous transformation in the erstwhile economic, cultural and political foundations of societies throughout the world. The past decade saw the UK reach two major tipping points on population ageing, as the post-war baby boomers start to retire. In 2007, the number of pensioners outnumbered children for the first time in UK history. And the old age support ratio, that is, the number of people aged 20-64 to people aged 65 or over, peaked in 2008 after rising steadily for decades, and is now in rapid decline.

These statistics provide only the most basic introduction to the challenges – and opportunities – associated with an ageing society. In this report, we detail the nature and extent of demographic change over the past decade, and reflect on the most pressing issues faced by society today as we attempt to respond to increasing longevity. The report finds ILC-UK at a very exciting stage of its development. After only ten years, we have become an established and respected voice across several policy-areas. The report details our work and impact over the last decade, as well as outlining our future priorities.