In the United Kingdom, the number of people aged 65 years and over increased from 7.4 million (13% of the total population) in 1971 to 9.2 million (16%) in 1996, and is projected to increase further to 14.5 million (24%) by 2061. Because of the strong association between aging and chronic disease, the numbers of people in the United Kingdom suffering from chronic illness and disabilities are projected to increase two to threefold by the middle of the next century. These changes in population age structure are particularly marked in the developing world, such that the greatest increases in both total numbers and proportions of older people will be experienced by Asia, China and Africa.