By the Numbers

Widowhood Statistics by Age

Widowhood Statistics by Age

By the Widowed Life Team · 30 July 2026

Quick answer

Widowhood becomes far more common with age, and the gender gap widens significantly the older the age group, largely reflecting women's longer average life expectancy. By age 80 and over in England and Wales, widows outnumber widowers by more than four to one, according to ONS data.

At 70 and over

ONS figures from 2014 show that at age 70 and over, there were around 1.75 million widowed women compared with approximately 0.48 million widowed men in England and Wales — a gap of well over a million more widows than widowers in this age group alone.

At 80 and over

The gap widens further at the oldest ages: over 80, there are roughly 1.1 million widows compared with around 259,000 widowers in England and Wales, according to ONS data analysed by Just Group — a ratio of more than four widows for every widower.

Practical tips

  • Understand the gender imbalance at older ages when thinking about the wider dating landscape.
  • Recognise that widowhood is extremely common at older ages, not an unusual circumstance.
  • Consider communities that reflect this reality, with active membership across a range of older age groups.
  • Don't assume your own age group is unusually small. Widowhood spans every stage of adult life.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming the gender balance is even. It shifts substantially with age.
  • Overlooking how life expectancy differences shape the overall widowed population.
  • Feeling isolated in your age group, when in fact millions share your circumstances.

FAQs

How does widowhood rate change with age?
It increases substantially with age, and the gender gap widens — at 80 and over, widows outnumber widowers by more than four to one.
How many widowed women are there at 70 and over?
Around 1.75 million, compared with approximately 0.48 million widowed men in the same age group, per 2014 ONS figures.
Why is there such a large gender gap at older ages?
It largely reflects women's longer average life expectancy compared with men.
Is widowhood common at 80 and over?
Yes, very — it's one of the most common statuses at this age, particularly for women.

Conclusion

Widowhood grows steadily more common with age, and understanding the real gender gap can help set realistic expectations about the dating landscape at different life stages.

Sources

  • Office for National Statistics, population estimates by marital status and living arrangements, England and Wales.
  • Just Group analysis of ONS data, "Four times as many widows as widowers aged 80 plus," February 2024.

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