Record number of Scots living to 100
Figures have increase 16% in a year
Last updated 22nd Sep 2022
For the first time there are more than a thousand people in Scotland who've lived past the age of one hundred, according to new figures from National Records of Scotand.
Statistics from June 2021 show a total of 1,040 who had reached their centenary, an increase of 16% in a year.
The figures for very long lives are in contrast to other statistics showing a decline in the average life expectancy in Scotland.
Post-WW1 baby boom
Esther Roughsedge, Head of Population and Migration Statistics, said:
“The number of people in the oldest age groups has been steadily increasing. This latest increase reflects the baby boom that happened in the years after World War One."
Women outnumber men
The data shows by far the majority of people aged 100 or older are female.
"Four times more females than males reached this milestone - 820 females compared to 220 males - reflecting the longer life expectancy of females,” said Esther Roughsedge.
Cause for concern
Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Brian Sloan, said: “It is heartening to learn that the number of people in Scotland reaching their centenary is continuing to increase, demonstrating the power of advances in medicine and the increasing effectiveness of preventative treatments in helping people live longer and healthier lives.
“However, the ongoing fall in life expectancy is cause for concern. There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have had a significant impact on life expectancy in Scotland, with older people most at risk and worst affected by the virus.
“The gulf between the richest and poorest areas of our country, which has widened slightly, remains unacceptably high, highlighting the devastating link between income levels and overall life expectancy.
“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow older but, given that we have a rapidly ageing population but the lowest life expectancy of all UK countries, there is still a long way to go.