Total dependency ratio in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Total dependency ratio was 57.8% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Total dependency ratio in United Kingdom, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total dependency ratio in United Kingdom is 57.8%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 6.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total dependency ratio in United Kingdom peaked at 60.1% in 1973 and was at its lowest, 49.9%, in 1950.
United Kingdom ranks 94th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 51.9% | 49.9% | 53.7% | 10 |
| 1960s | 55.5% | 53.9% | 58.5% | 10 |
| 1970s | 59.1% | 56.9% | 60.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 53.5% | 52.4% | 56.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 54.6% | 53.9% | 55.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 52.0% | 51.1% | 53.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 54.8% | 51.7% | 57.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 57.6% | 57.6% | 57.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.37 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 2.09 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.4402 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies -0.1504 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 1.74 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 153.13 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total dependency ratio in United Kingdom?
- Total dependency ratio in United Kingdom was 57.8% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total dependency ratio recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 60.1% in 1973.
- What is the lowest total dependency ratio recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.9% in 1950.
- How does United Kingdom rank for total dependency ratio?
- United Kingdom ranks 94th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total dependency ratio rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The number of children (under 15) and people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).