During the 1990s there was a net gain in the proportion of Welsh speakers in Wales, due to a relative increase in the proportion of people acquiring the ability to speak Welsh compared to those losing it. While increases in Welsh speaking were concentrated in younger age groups in the 1980s, between 1991 and 2001 the proportion of people speaking Welsh increased among all age groups, apart from those over 65.
Source: 'Ability to speak Welsh in the censuses of population: a longitudinal analysis', Population Trends 122, Winter 2005, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2005-Dec
A report said that people in Wales were living longer, with average life expectancy for men rising in 2002 to 75.5 years (from 75.3 years in 2001) and for women of 80.1 years (80 in 2001): but there were substantial geographical variations. Some 18-23 per cent of the population reported a limiting long-term illness.
Source: Health Status Wales 2004-05, Office of the Chief Medical Officer/Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2005-Feb
