Ageing While Black: the experiences of Black Caribbean older people in England
Published on 17 September 2025 12:12 PM
A new report from Age UK has shed light on the ways racism, discrimination, and inequality accumulate throughout life, significantly affecting older age for Black Caribbean people in the UK.
- One in four Black pensioners in the UK lives in poverty – compared with around one in six pensioners overall.
- Rates of poor health among Black men and women are equivalent to White British people ten years older.
- Black households are far less likely to own their homes (31%) compared with the national average (65%) and are more than twice as likely to live in social housing.
- Black households aged over 50 are twice as likely to live in housing deprivation in comparison (10.3% vs 5.3% from all ethnic groups).
The findings reveal that these challenges have a profound impact on financial security, health, and overall wellbeing in later life.
Drawing on in-depth interviews and focus groups with older Black Caribbean individuals, the Age UK report exposes how these lifelong experiences contribute to poorer health outcomes and reduced financial security. The research also highlights the additional obstacles faced when trying to access essential public services, with ageist attitudes and age discrimination further compounding the effects of racism.
With the Black Caribbean population recognised as one of the oldest ethnic groups in the UK, many belonging to the ‘Windrush generation’ and their descendants, there is a growing concern that the unique experiences of these communities are under-researched and overlooked by policymakers.
The report’s authors hope their findings will encourage government bodies, researchers, and community organisations to prioritise these issues and develop effective solutions. Their goal is to ensure that older people of Black Caribbean heritage, as well as other Black and minoritised ethnic groups, have the opportunity to age well and with dignity in British society.