People over 60 make up a quarter of the Maltese population and to some of them, love was still in the air, according to the National Statistics Office.

Marking the UN’s International Day of Older Persons today, the figures show that almost 25 per cent of the population – 105,068 – consisted of people aged 60 and over last year and more than 100 of those decided to tie the knot.

In 2013, there were 73 grooms and 32 brides aged 60 and over: 18.1 per cent for the first time and 58.1 per cent were divorced.

Those over 60 are also staying in the labour market for longer, according to new figures.

It’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old

Comparison with past labour force surveys show an increasing trend of people aged over 60 retaining a job. The participation rate rose to 8.8 per cent in 2013 from 4.7 per cent in 2003.

Many others are continuing to work and travel abroad.

A few were also lured to take up studying again: 54 people aged 60 and over were reading for a degree at the University during the past academic year.

About 52 per cent of these students attended a course leading to a second degree or postgraduate certificate and 5.6 per cent undertook a course at doctorate level. Elderly people – perhaps taking a leaf out of French author Jules Renard’s book, who said “it’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old” – are also travelling much more. The year 2013 saw a rise in Maltese tourists aged 65 and over – 33,016, up from 19,598 in 2010.

Of these, nearly 89 per cent travelled to EU countries. The two most popular destinations were Italy and the UK. Elderly travellers were also becoming more adventurous and about 63 per cent of them opted not to go for package tours.

Figures derived from the 2013 statistics on income and living conditions survey show that people over 59 had a 15 per cent chance of being at risk of poverty and 21.7 per cent chance of social exclusion.

According to the NSO statistics, 52.2 per cent of those aged 65 and over could not afford to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home.

Also, 21.3 per cent could not afford to face unexpected financial expenses of at least €450.

Even worse, 23.5 per cent said they were not able to keep their home adequately warm in the winter months.

Out of 3,236 people who died last year, 83 per cent were 65 and over.

The most common cause of death, which accounted for 43.3 per cent of fatalities, was disease of the circulatory system, related to heart problems.