The population of Gravesham will increase by 7,800 by 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics.

In 2016 the population was 106,200. By 2026 it is expected to reach 114,000, a rise of 7.3%.

Every two years the ONS estimates how the population of England will change over the next 25 years.

Statisticians study birth and death rates, and look at how the area’s population is ageing.

In Gravesham the percentage of the population made up by pensioners is expected to rise from 17.1% in 2016 to 18.4% 10 years later.

And by 2036 the ONS thinks over 65s will make up more than a fifth of the area’s residents.

People are living longer due to improvements in healthcare and technology, however this puts greater pressure on the NHS and social care.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: “The fact there are growing numbers of older people is a cause for real celebration, but these figures underline, once again, the need to ensure that our health and social care system is fit for the future.

“The Government’s decision to produce a social care green paper was welcome but realistically it will be years before its proposals impact in local areas, so action is needed now to shore up what remains of our care system.”

When calculating the population estimates for Gravesham the ONS expects the birth rate to outstrip the death rate.

“The most significant increase was in migrants from abroad, with a net rise of 2,200 estimated." - Office for National Statistics

Figures also show the male population is expected to grow slightly faster than the female population.

The statisticians then factor in people moving around England and immigrating from across the world, which is called internal and international migration.

The ONS estimates there will be an overall net increase of 3,300 migrants by 2026.

“The most significant increase was in migrants from abroad, with a net rise of 2,200 estimated.

Andrew Nash, from the ONS, said: “While the overall populations of all regions in England are projected to increase over the next decade, reasons for these increases vary greatly depending on where you live.”