Institute Of Welsh Affairs

This was the first of a series of joint events planned as part of the IWA's partnership with Bangor University. The North Welsh population is shifting dramatically. This is not only due to the ageing experienced by other developed nations, but local factors including inward migration of retirees from across the UK and working age people leaving the area. In the two decades leading up to 2018, the proportion of North Walians aged 65 and over increased from 18% to 23%, a trend projected to continue. At the other end of the scale, those aged 15 and under now make up only around 18% of the population compared to 20% in 1998. Combined with an overall population increase of 6% across the region, and the pressures on local services including health and care are building. The 2021 Census, as well as the wellbeing assessments conducted by the Public Services boards, will provide a much deeper understanding of demographic shift, when data are available in the coming months, but the trend is clear and continui