Young workers forced to go east (From Western Telegraph)

Young workers forced to go east

THE FIRST RESULTS from last year's national census show that Pembrokeshire has larger than average numbers of children and over-50s but a dearth of young adults.

The figures seem to confirm that while the county is seen as a good place to spend retirement or bring up children, there is little to keep young workers from moving east.

Numbers of people aged 20-44 in the county are below the UK average, while those aged 50-84 are above.

Higher than average numbers of children aged five to 14 would initially suggest that the numbers of young adults will increase over the next ten to 15 years. However, the county's high unemployment rates make it likely the young work force will leave the area in search of jobs.

Among the young adults who do stay in the county, females outnumber males, but not as drastically as in the urban centres of Swansea, Newport and Cardiff where the imbalance is quite dramatic.

There is no such cause for celebration among single males aged 20-24 in Pembrokeshire, however, as they are outnumbered by similarly aged women by just five.

Just over 22% of the population (25,075 people) are of retirement age. This is higher than the Welsh average of 20% and the UK average of just over 18%.

Jane Slade, chief officer of Pembrokeshire Age Concern, said the large number of retired people was 'a double edged sword', creating both problems and opportunities.

She said: "We have one of the largest retired populations and we also have one of the most isolated populations.

"People come down here hoping to have a healthy and happy retirement but, if they get more frail and dependant, they don't have the family network to fall back on. That puts a bigger pressure on statutory and voluntary organisations.

"From another point of view, most of our volunteers are retired and offer their support as part of an active retirement."