OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of a fear of falling in older adults, stratified by age. We evaluated elderly individuals of both sexes (≥60 years). Each individual was evaluated using the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I-BRAZIL), which assesses concern about falling during 16 activities of daily living. The subjects included in the study were divided into 5 groups: Group 1 (G1), aged 60-65 years (n = 25); Group 2 (G2), ages 66-70 years (n = 22); Group 3 (G3), 71-75 years (n = 24); Group 4 (G4), 76-80 years (n = 10); Group 5 (G5), ≥81 years (n = 8). RESULTS: Ultimately, 89 elderly individuals participated in the study. G1 scored highest (25.04 points) on the questionnaire. G3 had the second highest average score (24.95 points). G2 had an average of 23.86 points; G5, 21.12; G4, 19.8. CONCLUSION: The youngest patients were most likely to fear falling; however, there was no correlation between age and fear of falling.