UK Life Expectancy by Region, Country and Gender Data
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 13 May 2017 - Updated: 30 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This report presents comprehensive UK life expectancy data from the Office for National Statistics, broken down by gender, region, and country from 2006-2012. The information proves particularly valuable for demographics planning, healthcare policy development, and understanding health inequalities across Britain. Drawing from official government statistics, the data reveals significant regional variations - with males in some areas living 14.1 years longer in good health than those in disadvantaged regions like Glasgow City, where life expectancy lags substantially behind areas like East Dorset and Purbeck. For older adults and those with disabilities, this information assists in long-term care planning, pension considerations, and identifying areas where additional health services may be needed. The statistics show steady improvements in longevity across all regions, with newborn boys expected to live 79.1 years and girls 82.8 years, though these gains present challenges for pension systems and healthcare services serving aging populations.
At a Glance
- 1 - Male life expectancy at birth was highest in East Dorset at 82.9 years. It was lowest in Glasgow City at 72.6 years, a gap of over ten years.
- 2 - For females, Purbeck led at 86.6 years while Glasgow City trailed at 78.5 years. Scotland recorded the lowest country figures for both sexes.
- 3 - A newborn boy could expect to live 79.1 years and a newborn girl 82.8 years. Parts of England are projected to exceed 90 years within little more than a decade.
- 4 - Some areas saw people live 14.1 years longer in good health for males and 15.0 years for females than others. Education, employment, lifestyle and local environment all shape these differences.
Topic Definition
- Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn can expect to live if the mortality rates recorded in a given period stay the same throughout that child's lifetime. Rather than forecasting any single person's future, it works as a summary measure of current population health, calculated from age-specific death rates across a defined area and time frame. The figure can be reported for a whole nation or narrowed down by region, country, sex, or even individual local authorities, which is what makes it so useful for exposing the health inequalities that exist between one place and another. Analysts often pair it with life expectancy at age 65 to gauge how long older adults are likely to live, and both measures guide decisions on pensions, social care, and where health services are most needed as populations continue to age.
Overview
According to recent research the average life expectancy in some parts of England will exceed 90 years of age in little more than 10 years time, and men are narrowing the gap on women when it comes to life expectancy in England and Wales.
U.K. life expectancy at birth has risen rapidly during the last century due to a number of factors, including reductions in infant mortality, rising living standards, improved lifestyles and better education, as well as advances in healthcare and medicine.
Overall life expectancy trends for United Kingdom national, regional and local areas is increasing. Today in the U.K. a newborn baby boy can expect to live for 79.1 years, and a newborn baby girl 82.8 years - if mortality rates remain the same as they were in the UK in 2013–2015 throughout their lives.
In 2010 - 2012, male life expectancy at birth was highest in East Dorset (82.9 years) and lowest in Glasgow City (72.6 years). For females, life expectancy at birth was highest in Purbeck at 86.6 years and lowest in Glasgow City where females could expect to live for 78.5 years.
Differences in education, employment opportunities, lifestyle behaviours, social mobility and the wider local environment all have a major impact with males and females in some parts of the U.K. living 14.1 years and 15.0 years longer in 'very good or good' health than others.
The predicted gains in U.K. life expectancy means pension funds will have larger payouts, and health and social services will have to serve an older population than currently planned.
Also see our Average Life Span Expectancy Chart - a list of male and female lifespan expectant averages listed by country and age to death.
Life Expectancy Statistics at Birth and at Age 65 by Local Regions in England and UK Countries
Jump To:
- Life Expectancy for England by Region
- Life Expectancy for England at Age 65 by Region
- Life Expectancy for UK by Country
- Life Expectancy for UK at Age 65 by Country
| England: Life Expectancy at Birth by Sex and Region, 2006-08 to 2010-12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-12 | |
| Males | |||||
| North East | 76.4 | 76.7 | 77.1 | 77.5 | 77.8 |
| North West | 76.4 | 76.6 | 77.0 | 77.4 | 77.7 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 77.1 | 77.4 | 77.7 | 78.1 | 78.3 |
| East Midlands | 77.8 | 78.1 | 78.3 | 78.7 | 79.1 |
| West Midlands | 77.2 | 77.5 | 77.9 | 78.4 | 78.7 |
| East | 78.9 | 79.2 | 79.5 | 79.9 | 80.1 |
| London | 78.1 | 78.5 | 78.8 | 79.3 | 79.7 |
| South East | 79.1 | 79.4 | 79.7 | 80.0 | 80.3 |
| South West | 78.9 | 79.1 | 79.4 | 79.8 | 80.0 |
| Females | |||||
| North East | 80.5 | 80.9 | 81.1 | 81.5 | 81.6 |
| North West | 80.6 | 80.8 | 81.1 | 81.5 | 81.7 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 81.3 | 81.4 | 81.7 | 82.0 | 82.2 |
| East Midlands | 81.8 | 82.0 | 82.3 | 82.8 | 82.9 |
| West Midlands | 81.6 | 81.9 | 82.2 | 82.6 | 82.7 |
| East | 82.7 | 83.0 | 83.2 | 83.6 | 83.7 |
| London | 82.6 | 82.9 | 83.2 | 83.6 | 83.8 |
| South East | 82.9 | 83.2 | 83.4 | 83.8 | 83.8 |
| South West | 83.0 | 83.2 | 83.4 | 83.7 | 83.9 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
1. Figures exclude deaths of non-residents.
2. Figures for 2002 to 2010 are based on mid-year population estimates, revised in light of the 2011 Census.
3. Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in calendar years and mid-year population estimates.
| England: Life Expectancy at Age 65 by Sex and Region, 2006-08 to 2010-12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-12 | |
| Males | |||||
| North East | 16.6 | 16.9 | 17.1 | 17.5 | 17.6 |
| North West | 16.8 | 17.0 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 17.8 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 17.2 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 17.8 | 18.0 |
| East Midlands | 17.4 | 17.7 | 17.9 | 18.2 | 18.3 |
| West Midlands | 17.3 | 17.6 | 17.9 | 18.2 | 18.4 |
| East | 18.2 | 18.4 | 18.6 | 18.9 | 19.1 |
| London | 17.9 | 18.1 | 18.4 | 18.7 | 18.9 |
| South East | 18.4 | 18.6 | 18.8 | 19.0 | 19.2 |
| South West | 18.3 | 18.5 | 18.7 | 19.0 | 19.1 |
| Females | |||||
| North East | 19.2 | 19.4 | 19.6 | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| North West | 19.3 | 19.5 | 19.8 | 20.1 | 20.2 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 19.8 | 20.0 | 20.2 | 20.5 | 20.5 |
| East Midlands | 20.1 | 20.4 | 20.6 | 20.9 | 21.0 |
| West Midlands | 20.1 | 20.4 | 20.6 | 21.0 | 21.0 |
| East | 20.7 | 20.9 | 21.1 | 21.5 | 21.5 |
| London | 20.8 | 21.1 | 21.3 | 21.6 | 21.7 |
| South East | 20.9 | 21.2 | 21.4 | 21.6 | 21.6 |
| South West | 21.1 | 21.2 | 21.4 | 21.6 | 21.7 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
1. Figures exclude deaths of non-residents.
2. Figures for 2002 to 2010 are based on mid-year population estimates, revised in light of the 2011 Census.
3. Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in calendar years and mid-year population estimates.
| United Kingdom: Life Expectancy at Birth by Sex and Country, 2006-08 to 2010-12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-2012 | |
| Males | |||||
| United Kingdom | 77.5 | 77.8 | 78.1 | 78.6 | 78.9 |
| England and Wales | 77.8 | 78.1 | 78.4 | 78.8 | 79.1 |
| England | 77.9 | 78.2 | 78.5 | 78.9 | 79.2 |
| Wales | 77.0 | 77.2 | 77.6 | 78.0 | 78.2 |
| Scotland | 75.1 | 75.4 | 75.9 | 76.3 | 76.6 |
| Northern Ireland | 76.4 | 76.8 | 77.1 | 77.6 | 77.8 |
| Females | |||||
| United Kingdom | 81.7 | 82.0 | 82.2 | 82.6 | 82.7 |
| England and Wales | 81.9 | 82.2 | 82.4 | 82.8 | 82.9 |
| England | 82.0 | 82.3 | 82.5 | 82.9 | 83.0 |
| Wales | 81.3 | 81.5 | 81.8 | 82.2 | 82.2 |
| Scotland | 79.9 | 80.1 | 80.4 | 80.7 | 80.8 |
| Northern Ireland | 81.3 | 81.4 | 81.6 | 82.0 | 82.3 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
1. Figures for 2002 to 2010 are based on mid-year population estimates, revised in light of the 2011 Census.
2. Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in calendar years and mid-year population estimates.
3. Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. Figures for England and Wales separately exclude deaths of non-residents.
| United Kingdom: Life Expectancy at Age 65 by Sex and Country, 2006-08 to 2010-12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-08 | 2007-09 | 2008-10 | 2009-11 | 2010-2012 | |
| Males | |||||
| United Kingdom | 17.5 | 17.7 | 17.9 | 18.2 | 18.4 |
| England and Wales | 17.6 | 17.8 | 18.1 | 18.3 | 18.5 |
| England | 17.6 | 17.9 | 18.1 | 18.4 | 18.6 |
| Wales | 17.2 | 17.3 | 17.6 | 17.9 | 18.0 |
| Scotland | 16.3 | 16.5 | 16.8 | 17.0 | 17.2 |
| Northern Ireland | 16.9 | 17.2 | 17.4 | 17.8 | 17.9 |
| Females | |||||
| United Kingdom | 20.1 | 20.3 | 20.5 | 20.9 | 20.9 |
| England and Wales | 20.3 | 20.5 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 21.1 |
| England | 20.3 | 20.5 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 21.1 |
| Wales | 19.9 | 20.1 | 20.2 | 20.5 | 20.6 |
| Scotland | 18.9 | 19.0 | 19.3 | 19.5 | 19.5 |
| Northern Ireland | 19.9 | 20.0 | 20.3 | 20.6 | 20.6 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
1. Figures for 2002 to 2010 are based on mid-year population estimates, revised in light of the 2011 Census.
2. Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in calendar years and mid-year population estimates.
3. Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. Figures for England and Wales separately exclude deaths of non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What source provides the UK life expectancy data
The figures come from the Office for National Statistics, using three year rolling averages based on registered deaths and mid-year population estimates.
Which UK country has the lowest life expectancy
Scotland recorded the lowest life expectancy of the UK countries, at 76.6 years for males and 80.8 years for females in 2010 to 2012.
What is life expectancy at age 65 in England
In 2010 to 2012, English males at age 65 could expect 18.6 more years and females 21.1 more years of life on average.
Which English region has the highest life expectancy
The South East and South West lead England, with males reaching around 80.3 years and females about 83.9 years at birth.
Why does life expectancy vary so much by location
Differences in education, employment, lifestyle, social mobility, and the local environment all shape how long people live across regions.
Are men closing the life expectancy gap with women
Yes, men in England and Wales are narrowing the longevity gap with women as male life expectancy rises steadily over time.
How do rising lifespans affect pensions and services
Longer lives mean pension funds face larger payouts and health and social services must support an older population than previously planned.
What years does this UK life expectancy data cover
The main tables cover rolling periods from 2006 to 2008 through 2010 to 2012 for regions and UK countries.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The stark geographical disparities in life expectancy revealed in this data highlight how postcode can determine lifespan more than genetics in modern Britain. While the overall upward trend in longevity represents a public health triumph, the persistent 10-year gaps between regions underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing social determinants of health - from education and employment opportunities to environmental factors that create such dramatic differences in human potential across relatively small distances.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.