Skip to content
Please donate

What we research

As an authority on ageing and older people's issues, research is at the heart of all we do.


In-house and commissioned research

In-house, we carry out research on health, social, and economic issues of ageing; we undertake literature reviews; and we develop indices of different dimensions of ageing, for example the index of risk of loneliness. We also carry out evaluations of our services and have developed an evaluation guide and toolkit for others to use.

From time to time we commission specific research projects and evaluations out to third parties, often by competitive tender.

Furthermore, we support Age UK to be an authority on ageing by collecting, analysing, and synthesising research carried out by others, such as academics, government departments, and other organisations.

The evidence generated in these ways underpins Age UK's work, for example in influencing, campaigning, service development, and impact measurement. We also make much of this work freely available on our webpages in our reports, blogs, and other products.

Our publications

View all of the latest reports, literature reviews and evaluations from Research.


Research projects

Estimating needs in older people

This research explores the unmet needs of older people in areas such as care and support, poverty, poor housing, loneliness and isolation. We wanted to find out how many older people live with unmet needs, multiple needs, and in what combinations.

Read this research


Research partnerships at Age UK

Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are experiencing very low staff capacity to continue our previous activities in supporting the research community. We will continue to honour partnerships we have already formed, but will not be able to support new projects at this time. Please continue to check this page from time to time for updates on our status.

If you would like to support Age UK’s work and help us continue being there for older people during this very challenging time, there's more information here.


Resources for further research

If you are conducting research into ageing or planning an evaluation, you may want to take a look at our useful resources.

Policy & Research Update

Read about Age UK's latest publicly available research and policy information in our monthly email.

Heart icon Please help us be there for older people in need

By donating today, you could help us answer more calls to our advice line, campaign harder for older people’s rights and fair treatment and provide regular friendship calls to people who are desperately lonely.

For more information call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 65 65 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year).  

Share this page

Last updated: Sep 20 2022

Become part of our story

Sign up today

Back to top