The number of people aged 90 or over has doubled in the past decade, with 2,784 now in this age category, compared to just 1,355 10 years ago.

Those over 80 are also enjoying more years, with 17,155 in 2017, compared with 11,639 in 2007, according to National Statistics Office figures.

This means that whereas only 3.19 per cent of the total population made it to their 80s in 2007, now 4.19 per cent can expect to do so.

The figures revealed on Wednesday to mark World Population Day also show interesting trends with regards to gender differences. In 2007, there were the same amount of men and women until the age of 59, but as they aged, then more women survived than men, with the gap becoming more noticeable with the passing of time.

However, the 2017 figures show that men are living longer and there are the same number of both genders until the end of the 60-69 category. It is only in the 70-79 category that women start to live longer, according to the NSO.