Market position statement local context

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Barnet's Population

  • Barnet’s population has increased by 9.2%, from around 356,400 in 2011 to 389,300 in 2021, making it 2nd largest of all the London boroughs.
  • Over recent years, population growth has been higher in Barnet than across London and the median age has increased from 35 to 37.
  • Census data shows the population is split into 188,400 (48.4%) males and 200,900 (51.6%) females.
  • The population of Barnet has increased the greatest in those aged 75 and over with growth of around 11% (2,700 people),

Older People

  • There has been an increase of 18.3% in people aged 65 years and over between 2011 and 2021, with the current number estimated to be 60,900. This figure expected to rise by 7.3% to 65,300 by end of 2025.
  • There is a predicted 10% rise in the number of older unpaid carers (aged 65+) over the next 5 years.
  • Life expectancy for men in Barnet is 82.9 years - significantly higher than the London average of 80.9 years.
  • For women life expectancy in the borough is 86 years - also significantly higher than the London average of 84.7 years.
  • However, despite longer life expectancy, on average, people in Barnet live 18 years in ill health.
  • The number of people aged 65+ who are living alone is expected to increase by 7.2% (21,369 in 2025).

People with Learning disabilities 

  • In 2022, there were around 6,092 people in Barnet aged 18 to 64 with learning disabilities and about 1,268 people aged 65 and over with learning disabilities.
  • There are 1,567 people with moderate/ severe learning disabilities in the borough, of which 11% are aged 65 and over, 77% are aged 25 to 64 and 12% are aged 18 to 24.  This is projected to increase by 11.8% to 1,707 people by 2040, of which an estimated 15% will be aged 65 and above, 73% will be aged 25 to 64 and 12% will be aged 18 to 24.
  • Approximately 1,032 people with learning disabilities are currently being supported by Adult Social Care.
  • Barnet has the highest number of people of all ages with learning disabilities of all London boroughs.

Mental Ill-Health

  • According to the most recent data available from the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities Mental Health and Wellbeing JSNA:
    • In 2017 16.2% of the Barnet population aged 16+ had a common mental disorder – this compares to 16.9% in England
    • In 2018 there were 20.3 per 1,000 working age adults claiming ESA for mental and behavioural disorders in Barnet, compared to 18.1 for our statistical neighbours, but 27.3 for England
  • As at February 2023, there were 4481 people with a diagnosed severe mental illness with a Barnet GP

People with Dementia

  • It is estimated that there are 4,387 people with dementia living in Barnet and by 2040 this figure is expected to increase to 7,282 - an increase of 66%
  • Older age groups are associated with higher dementia prevalence.  The number of older Barnet residents with dementia will increase by 27.5% between 2020 and 2030.
  • In Barnet, the diagnosed dementia rate for people aged 65 and over is 4.59%. This equates to 2,721 people. This is higher than both London 4.17% and England 3.97%.
  • In September 2022, Barnet had the 6th highest level of diagnosed dementia of all the London boroughs and 4th highest amongst our statistical neighbours. 

People with Physical & Sensory Impairment

  • 13,383 adults in Barnet with physical impairments, of which an estimated 16% were aged 18 to 64 and 84% were aged 65 plus.
  • 543 adults with a sensory impairment, of which 23% were aged 18 to 64 and 77% were aged 65 and over.
  • 58,102 adults with some hearing loss. This is projected to increase by 44% to 83,680 adults by 2040.
  • 6,220 people with severe hearing loss aged 18 and over. This is projected to increase by 53% to 9,534 people by 2040.
  • 160 people aged 18 to 64 had a severe visual impairment. This is projected to increase by around 5% to 169 people by 2040.
  • 6,954 people aged 65 and over with moderate or severe visual impairment and a registerable eye condition. This is projected to increase by around 63% to 11,391 people by 2040.
  • We plan to undertake a needs assessment to better understand the needs of people with a physical and/or sensory impairment in Barnet.

Autistic people

  • In 2022, there were an estimated 3081 autistic adults in Barnet, which is the highest prevalence of all the London boroughs.
  • Between 2020 and 2035, the number of autistic adults in Barnet is projected to increase by around 14.7% to 3,452.