ABSTRACT
It is possible to examine the evidence of demographic change and the reasons why population issues have been considered problematic throughout the twentieth century. This chapter considers the changes that have occurred to the balance of age groups in the UK population and what impact this has had on the size and age profile of the electorate. As there is no method of estimating the age of those with multiple votes or those excluded by property qualifications, the authors have not attempted to include them in the data. Because there are more older women than older men, and because women under 30 were not enfranchised, the 1918 changes not only greatly expanded the electorate but also significantly raised the average age of voters. Although the absolute numbers of older voters, and in particular very old voters, continue to increase, the rate of change has slowed.
