Trends in Numbers and Mortality at High Ages in England and Wales

In the paper new estimates of the numbers of deaths and death rates at ages 80 and over in England and Wales are derived for the period 1911–90. These estimates were made by applying the methods of extinct generations and reverse survival to data on deaths in 1911–90, and pensioners in 1990. Estimates are given for individual years of age. It is found that death rates at these high ages have been falling, slowly, for the last 50 years. The paper also gives information on the highest ages at death which have been recorded and verified.