Our Community

Our Community

The Office for National Statistics estimates that Torbay has 139,485 people living in our area in approximately 63,000 households. The overall population in Torbay has grown by 4.9% in 2023 since 2013, this compares to 7% growth across England.  27% of our population is over 65 years of age which is set to increase to 34% during the next 20 years. This is only a slight increase since 10 years ago, when this group represented 25%.

Image shows - Bar chart showing projected population distribution by age group for the years 2023, 2028, 2033, 2038, and 2043. Each bar is divided into three segments: light blue for ages 0–17, medium blue for ages 18–64, and dark blue for ages 65+. In 2023, the distribution is 18% aged 0–17, 55% aged 18–64, and 27% aged 65+. The chart illustrates a trend over time, with the proportion of older adults increasing and younger age groups remaining relatively stable.

Torbay’s population is projected to rise from 139,485 in 2023 to 153,088 by 2043.  The proportion of the population aged 0 to 17 is projected to fall from 18% to 16% by 2043.  Those aged from 18 to 64 are projected to fall from 55% to 50% by 2043, the proportion of those aged 65 and over is expected to rise from 27% in 2023 to 34% by 2043.  The projected rate of fall amongst those aged younger than 65 is steeper than the projections for England as a whole.

Life expectancy for males is 78.3 years and females 83.1 years.  This is slightly below the national average for the latest three-year period for males but in-line for females.  The average England life expectancy in males is 79.1 years and females 83.1 years.  When compared to the South West, Torbay’s life expectancy is approximately two years lower during the past three years for men and one year for women.   The average for males in the Southwest is 80.1 years and females 84.0 years. 

*Image shows - Chart showing life expectancy at birth for males and females across five deprivation quintiles, from most to least deprived. Female life expectancy is represented by dark blue circles, and male life expectancy by light blue circles. In the most deprived quintile, females live 81.1 years and males 75.1 years. In the least deprived quintile, females live 85.9 years and males 85.4 years. Life expectancy increases steadily across quintiles for both genders.

It is known nationally that there is a gap in life expectancy between the richer and poorer.  From 2019 – 2023, men living in areas of Torbay that are amongst the 20% most deprived areas in England have a life expectancy of 10.3 years less than those men living in our 20% least deprived areas.  For women, the gap is 4.8 years.

Data on early mortality in Torbay from 2021 - 2023, those younger than 75 , indicates that for causes of death relating to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and liver diseases, in females are broadly in line with the England national average along with respiratory diseases and liver diseases for males. When looking at cardiovascular diseases and cancer, in males are significantly higher than the England national average.  Torbay is reported as having similar rates to the England average rates for both males and females in the preventable causes category over recent years.