Boom and bust? The last baby boomers and their prospects for later life

Publication type

Report

Author

  1. -

Publication date

November 15, 2021

Summary:

This report shows that prospects for people currently in their 50s and 60s have worsened considerably across many key aspects of life – such as health, work, housing and finances – when compared to people who were at the same age at the turn of the millennium.

The generation currently approaching later life is experiencing big societal shifts such as longer working lives and the growth of the gig economy, a crisis of housing supply and quality, and increasing demand to provide care for family and loved ones. These challenges will affect all of us, whatever our age. But people currently approaching later life (approximately aged 50-70) face particular risks associated with these societal shifts that demand urgent attention. And yet little policy focus has been dedicated to this group and anticipating and alleviating these challenges.

This report sheds much-needed light on this ‘forgotten generation’: who they are, the nature and severity of the challenges facing them, and how their lives and prospects differ at this life stage from people of the same age 16 years ago. This report is based on analysed national data from almost 14,000 50-70-year-olds at two timepoints – 16 years apart – and in 97 interviews.

This report is based on research conducted by IPPR and University College London, commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better. The research teams carried out in-depth, mixed-methods research, the results of which are outlined in two separate reports. These also provide more detailed descriptions of the methodologies used. Please note that the recommendations for change reflect the views of the Centre for Ageing Better and not necessarily the research teams.

Subjects

Links

- https://ageing-better.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/boom-and-bust-report-the-last-baby-boomers.pdf
https://ageing-better.org.uk/publications/boom-and-bust


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