Since 1958, the total number of deaths certified as due to asthma has fluctuated. The peak in the 1960s affected all age-groups, although it was most noticeable in the younger age groups. More recently, the number of deaths started to rise again from the early 1980s, peaking in 1988 at just over 2000. This time, the increase was more noticeable in the older age-groups. Asthma deaths are now falling, and are currently around 1500 per year in England & Wales. The majority of asthma deaths occur in those aged over 45, with around 40% of deaths occurring in the 75+ age-group. Only a small proportion (1%) occur in children.