Attitude to age surveyed in Britain

LONDON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Britons younger than 25 say old age starts sooner than those more than 50 years of age, a survey by Britain's Department for Work and Pensions has found.

The survey found on average Britons believe old age starts at 59 while youth ends at 41, the Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

However, people more than 80 years old said they believe youth ends at 52 and old age starts at 68.

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said attitudes towards age must change because the country is "on the brink of a new world" due to Britain's rapidly aging population.

"People today are living longer, working longer and contributing more in their later lives," Webb said. "This is great news and it is important that our perceptions of age keep up with the reality of our increasing longevity."

The DWP report, called Attitudes to Age in Britain, concluded "age-related stereotypes are rooted in British society."

The aging population presents a number of challenges to society, the report said, noting one in three people surveyed said they experienced some form of prejudice in the last year because of their age.

"It is imperative that a fuller understanding of attitudes to age is sought if the Government is to successfully develop and implement strategies to ensure social inclusion of older people," the report said.