One in six Britons alive today will live until they are 100, official figures suggest.
Although there are just 15,000 centenarians in the UK today, “the population aged 90 and over has grown more rapidly than other age groups in recent years - with one in six Britons now expected to reach triple figures”, says Sky News.
Around 10 million people currently alive today are expected to reach their centenary.
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The latest findings have prompted the Government to earmark more than £300m to develop new technologies to support an ageing population.
In a series of measures announced by the Business Secretary Greg Clark, £210m will go towards the development of early diagnostic tools and innovative treatments. Another £98m will be spent on a ‘healthy ageing programme’ to help people stay in their own homes for longer as they get older.
Under the scheme, half a million volunteers will have their genomes sequenced to assist in developing new tools for early diagnosis while a number of regional centres will use artificial intelligence to work on tracking and finding cures for diseases.
A new £40m dementia hub will be set up in London in partnership with University College London to host 350 leading scientists researching new treatments for the condition.
Clark has set a goal of being the best country in the world for dementia care by 2020, and said investment in new technologies will “revolutionise the way we age and provide everyone with the best possible chance to grow old with dignity in their own home”.
Caroline Dinenage, minister for care, said the challenges of an increasing ageing population meant it was necessary to “transform the way we think about our work, our housing, our health our finances and our communities”.