What are the latest life expectancy figures for the UK?
Based on the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the period 2021 to 2023, the period life expectancy at birth in the UK was 78.8 years for males and 82.8 years for females. These figures show a small increase from the 2020-2022 period but remain below the peak observed in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Period life expectancy is a measure of the average lifespan if current mortality rates were to stay the same.
Life expectancy trends: A closer look
UK life expectancy had been steadily increasing for many years, but this trend slowed and then reversed recently, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a rise in deaths, particularly in 2020 and 2021, affecting men and those in less affluent areas more significantly.
Geographical variations within the UK
Life expectancy differs across the UK. England generally has the highest life expectancy among the four nations, with southern regions typically having higher figures than northern regions. Scotland consistently has the lowest life expectancy in the UK, while Wales and Northern Ireland are in between. For example, male life expectancy in England (2021-2023) was highest in the South East (80.3 years) and lowest in the North East (77.4 years).
The gender gap in life expectancy
Women continue to live longer than men, although the gap has decreased since the 1970s. This narrowing is partly due to faster health improvements in men, linked to factors like reduced smoking rates. The pandemic temporarily widened the gap because more men died from COVID-19.
Factors influencing life expectancy in the UK
Many factors affect how long people live. These include socio-economic situation, lifestyle, healthcare access, and public health measures. Socio-economic inequalities significantly reduce life expectancy. Lifestyle choices like smoking, diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption are also important. Improvements in healthcare and public health initiatives have historically helped increase UK life expectancy.
Healthy life expectancy vs. overall life expectancy
Healthy life expectancy measures the average number of years lived in good health, distinct from overall lifespan. Data for 2020-2022 shows a significant portion of life is spent in poor health. For more details, see the {Link: ONS website https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/bulletins/nationallifetablesunitedkingdom/2020to2022}.
Comparison with other high-income countries
The UK's life expectancy has been lower than many other wealthy countries for several years. For detailed international data, visit the {Link: World Health Organization https://data.who.int/countries/826}.
Conclusion: The outlook for UK life expectancy
While UK life expectancy has slightly recovered since the pandemic, it hasn't returned to pre-2020 levels and remains lower than many similar countries. Future improvements depend on addressing issues like social inequality, healthcare, and healthier lifestyles. It's crucial to focus on ensuring people live longer and also live those extra years in good health.
