United Kingdom median age by year, 1990 to 2023

United Kingdom: 39.8 years in 2023. Median age peaked at 39.8 years in 2023 in this 1990–2023 series.

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What the data shows

United Kingdom: 34.9 years in 1990, 39.8 years in 2023.
Thailand: 23.2 years in 1990, 39.7 years in 2023 (1.7× higher).
Sweden: 37.4 years in 1990, 39.9 years in 2023. It peaked at 39.9 years in 2012.
Norway: 34.4 years in 1990, 39.5 years in 2023.

About this chart

United Kingdom's median age rose from 34.9 years in 1990 to 39.8 years in 2023. The oldest median age in the displayed estimates was 39.8 years in 2023. Its lowest median age in this window was 34.9 years in 1990. These figures describe the midpoint of the population's age distribution, not average age or expected lifespan.

Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. In 2023, the comparison lines show Thailand (39.7 years), Sweden (39.9 years) and Norway (39.5 years). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

United Kingdom: median age, years, 1990 to 2023; three nearest peers, 1990–2023
Date	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	🇹🇭 Thailand	🇸🇪 Sweden	🇳🇴 Norway
1990	34.9 years	23.2 years	37.4 years	34.4 years
1991	35.0 years	23.8 years	37.4 years	34.5 years
1992	35.1 years	24.4 years	37.4 years	34.7 years
1993	35.3 years	25.0 years	37.4 years	34.8 years
1994	35.4 years	25.6 years	37.4 years	34.9 years
1995	35.6 years	26.2 years	37.5 years	35.1 years
1996	35.8 years	26.7 years	37.7 years	35.2 years
1997	36.0 years	27.3 years	37.8 years	35.4 years
1998	36.2 years	27.9 years	38.0 years	35.5 years
1999	36.4 years	28.5 years	38.2 years	35.7 years
2000	36.6 years	29.0 years	38.4 years	35.8 years
2001	36.8 years	29.5 years	38.5 years	36.0 years
2002	37.0 years	29.9 years	38.6 years	36.2 years
2003	37.2 years	30.3 years	38.8 years	36.4 years
2004	37.4 years	30.8 years	39.0 years	36.7 years
2005	37.5 years	31.2 years	39.2 years	36.9 years
2006	37.6 years	31.7 years	39.4 years	37.1 years
2007	37.8 years	32.1 years	39.5 years	37.3 years
2008	37.9 years	32.6 years	39.7 years	37.4 years
2009	38.1 years	33.0 years	39.7 years	37.6 years
2010	38.2 years	33.5 years	39.7 years	37.7 years
2011	38.3 years	34.0 years	39.8 years	37.8 years
2012	38.5 years	34.4 years	39.9 years	37.9 years
2013	38.6 years	34.9 years	39.9 years	38.0 years
2014	38.7 years	35.3 years	39.9 years	38.1 years
2015	38.8 years	35.8 years	39.9 years	38.2 years
2016	38.8 years	36.3 years	39.9 years	38.3 years
2017	38.9 years	36.7 years	39.7 years	38.4 years
2018	39.0 years	37.2 years	39.6 years	38.6 years
2019	39.1 years	37.7 years	39.5 years	38.8 years
2020	39.2 years	38.2 years	39.6 years	39.0 years
2021	39.3 years	38.7 years	39.6 years	39.3 years
2022	39.5 years	39.2 years	39.7 years	39.4 years
2023	39.8 years	39.7 years	39.9 years	39.5 years

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median age in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom's median age was 39.8 years in 2023, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 estimates. Half the population was younger and half older than that age.

When was United Kingdom's median age highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was 39.8 years in 2023. This comparison covers 1990 through 2023; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with United Kingdom?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2023 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data, median age in years, estimates only. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Median age divides the population into equal younger and older halves. These UN World Population Prospects 2024 figures are estimates, both sexes combined; no projected years are included. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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