Fewer elderly people are on the road and more are getting married, according to the National Statistics Office.

The number of elderly people with a driving licence in 2008 decreased by 1,000 to almost 39,717 - of these 80 per cent were men.

More elderly people tied the knot. A total of 38 grooms and 30 brides aged over 59 got married last year. Over the past eight years there has been a 240 per cent increase in elderly marriages.

Twelve per cent of those aged 60 were involved in a traffic accident. Of these 38 per cent were drivers while 35 per cent were pedestrians, according to a set of figures issued to mark International Day of Older Persons which is being marked today.

Last year, the government spent €312 million on pensions, almost half of the total amount spent on social benefits.