According to HSBC report , women are expected to control around 60% of the nations wealth by 2025. This is driven by increasing economic participation, longer life expectancy and changing inheritance patterns.
Based on a 2023 Saga survey - Over 50's contributions £602B to the economy. However, less than 6% of people over 50 are employed by the creative industries.. 'Older people' are lumped into a group of 55-85 year olds which is why there is a massive disconnect on top of the ageism people need to deal with.
Health
-
Life expectancy at 65 (UK): Women who reach age 65 can expect, on average, 20.8 more years of life.
-
Disability‑free life expectancy at 65 (England): Women have ~10.7 years on average without disability after age 65.
-
Menopause timing: The menopause typically occurs between 45–55, with a UK average age of ~51.
-
HRT use rising: In 2023/24, 13 million HRT items were prescribed in England (+22% year‑on‑year), with ~2.6midentified patients receiving HRT.
-
Breast screening (England): At 31 Mar 2024, 70% of eligible women aged 53–<71 were up to date with screening; 70% of invited women aged 50–<71 took up their invitation in 2023/24.
-
Cervical screening (England): Coverage for ages 50–64 was ~74.3% in 2023/24 (higher than 25–49 at 66.1%).
Fitness & physical activity (England)
-
Overall activity: 63.3% of adults 55–74 meet the 150‑min weekly activity guideline; 42.8% of those 75+ do.
-
Strength work: 41% of women (vs 47% of men) meet the muscle‑strengthening guideline; older adults are less likely to meet it, though trends are improving.
Work
-
Employment rate (50–64): Reached ~70.9% in 2024 (UK).
-
More women in full‑time roles: The female full‑time employment rate (50–64) has risen by ~14.3 percentage points since 2010.
-
Menopause at work: Survey evidence suggests ~1 in 10 women have left a job due to menopause symptoms; many more report negative impacts on work.
Travel
-
Holiday‑taking is high: In the past 12 months, ~79% of 55–64s and ~77% of 65+ took a holiday; around half of each group travelled abroad (England & Wales residents, UK market).
Divorce
-
Divorce rates (England & Wales, 2023): 8.5 divorces per 1,000 married women; around 73% of divorces proceeded as sole applications under the new law.
Retirement
-
State Pension age (UK): Currently 66; legislated to rise to 67 between 2026–28 and to 68 between 2044–46(subject to periodic reviews).
-
Exiting work later: The average age of exit from the labour market for women reached ~64.5 years in 2024.
Sources
-
Office for National Statistics (ONS) — National life tables – UK: 2020–2022 (life expectancy at 65).
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/bulletins/nationallifetablesunitedkingdom/2020to2022 -
ONS — Health state life expectancies in the UK: 2011–2013 to 2020–2022 (DFLE at 65).
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2020to2022 -
NHS — Menopause overview (timing/average age).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/ -
NHS Business Services Authority — HRT England, Apr 2015–Jun 2024 (13m items; +22%; 2.6m patients).
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/hormone-replacement-therapy-england/hormone-replacement-therapy-england-april-2015-june-2024 -
NHS England — Breast Screening Programme, England, 2023–24 (coverage & uptake).
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/breast-screening-programme/england---2023-24 -
NHS England — Cervical Screening Programme, England, 2023–24 – Section 1: Call & recall (50–64 coverage 74.3%).
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cervical-screening-annual/england-2023-24/section-1-call-and-recall -
Sport England — Active Lives Adult Survey 2023/24: Record numbers playing sport (55–74 and 75+ activity rates; most popular activities).
https://www.sportengland.org/news/record-numbers-playing-sport-across-england -
Sport England — Active Lives Adult Survey Nov 2023–24 (PDF; muscle‑strengthening: women 41%, men 47%).
https://sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-04/ActiveLivesAdult-Nov23-24_V9-23-04-25.pdf -
DWP / GOV.UK — Older workers: trends in employment (employment rate 50–64; full‑time rise; average exit age for women).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/older-workers-trends-in-employment/older-workers-trends-in-employment -
Fawcett Society — Menopause and the Workplace (1 in 10 left a job).
https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/menopauseandtheworkplace -
ABTA — Holiday Habits Report 2024 (age‑group holiday & abroad rates).
https://www.abta.com/assets/files/Holiday%20Habits%20Report%202024.pdf -
ONS — Divorces and dissolutions in England and Wales: 2023 (rates; sole‑application share).
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/bulletins/divorcesinenglandandwales/2023 -
GOV.UK — Third State Pension age review: call for evidence (current timetable to 67 and 68).
https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/third-state-pension-age-review-independent-report-call-for-evidence/third-state-pension-age-review-independent-report-call-for-evidence
Notes: Where figures refer to England (e.g., screening and activity), this is stated. “Latest” refers to the most recent official releas
