Data: British retirees growing in number

LONDON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Improved healthcare services and better diets have led to a dramatic increase in the number of retirees in Britain, data indicate.

Office for National Statistics figures show that the number of retirees in Britain exceeded the number of children last year, besting their younger counterparts 11,561,000 to 11,509,000, The Times of London said Friday.

Individuals over the age of 80 have seen the most dramatic population growth during the last 27 years in Britain. The number of seniors in the age range doubled in size during that time frame to at estimated total of 2.7 million.

With that total expected to exceed 12 million during the next two years, senior activists are calling for major changes in social services in Britain.

Help the Aged special adviser Mervyn Kohler said communities need to adjust to help assist the rising number of retirees. He told The Times he has proposed adding wheelchair-accessible facilities, enhanced public transport and homes with fewer steps to help the growing populous group.

"We are closing post offices, public toilets and public houses. We cannot afford to let it continue when we see this kind of demographic change taking place," he said to the newspaper.