Britain says about a fifth of its citizens will live to at least the age of 100, as the country’s population rapidly ages in the coming decades.
The Department for Work and Pensions said on Thursday that about 10 million people alive today are predicted to live until at least 100, putting new pressure on the country’s pension system and hospitals.
Officials predict that by 2080 there will be 626,900 people in Britain aged 100 or more. There are currently 11,800 people aged at least 100.
Pensions Minister Steve Webb says the figures show the need to make quick reforms to policies on health care and pensions.
Britain has already announced that it will raise the retirement age to 66 for both men and women by 2020.
