There was, if truth be told, a time when Japan, aside from its amazing feats in the realm of science and technology across the globe, was also known for having the largest number of centenarians. Even though the globally acclaimed leader in electronics and automobile manufacture and ship building has been able to retain the same position thus far, recent reports suggest that UK may surpass it if the current trends keep on.

The report suggests that British centenarians are also flourishing by leaps and bounds thanks to an assortment of factors and the number of people aged 100 and over will almost double in the next decade. It is almost certain that the number of centenarians will number in the region of 12,000 next year but as per government projections from the Department of Work and Pensions, the same will rise to about 22,000 by 2020, and to as high as 280,000 by 2050.

Estimations from the Office for National Statistics suggest the number of pensioners will rise from 12 million to 16 million by 2050.

On the word of Lord McKenzie, the work and pensions minister, "It is clear that in the coming years an older society offers opportunities for those in retirement to continue working, learning and contributing to society, but challenges around how best to support this group."

As per him, the government was tackling the "biggest changes to pensions for a generation" and new challenges would consist of how to improve care and support for an ageing population.

We are getting inquisitive of the reason behind the rise of this phenomenon. As stated by experts, the rise of older populations in the west is due to a maturing of the baby-boom generation that followed the second world war.