New official statistics reveal a concerning decline in the number of years people in the United Kingdom can expect to live in good health, with figures reaching their lowest point since records began. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data showing a significant drop in healthy life expectancy across the nation, accompanied by a stark and widening geographical divide between different local areas.
Steady Decline in Healthy Years
According to the latest estimates, girls born in the period 2022-2024 are likely to enjoy just 60.9 years of good general health. This represents a notable decrease from 63.4 years in 2019-21 and a more substantial fall from 63.7 years a decade earlier in 2012-14. The trend for males follows a similar pattern, though the decline is slightly less severe. Boys born in 2022-24 can expect 60.7 years of good health, down from 62.4 years in 2019-21 and 62.9 years in 2012-14.
These figures for both women and men mark the lowest healthy life expectancy since the ONS first began estimating this metric in 2011-13. Over the past decade, women have lost nearly three years of expected good health, while men have seen a reduction of just over two years.
Pronounced Geographical Inequalities
The ONS report highlights a "clear geographical divide" in England between local authorities with the highest and lowest estimates of healthy life expectancy. For girls born in 2022-2024, Richmond upon Thames in London recorded the highest figure at 70.3 years. In stark contrast, Hartlepool in County Durham reported the lowest at just 51.2 years—a difference of more than 19 years.
For males born in the same period, Richmond upon Thames again topped the list with 69.3 years, while Blackpool in Lancashire had the lowest at 50.9 years, creating a gap of over 18 years. The disparity between the highest and lowest local healthy life expectancies in England has widened sharply over the past decade. For women, the gap has grown from 14.8 years in 2012-14 to 19.1 years in 2022-24. For men, it has increased from 14.5 years to 18.4 years.
National and Regional Comparisons
Greg Ceely, ONS Head of Population Life Events, commented on the findings, stating: "Today’s figures show that, while people in the UK are living longer than at the height of the pandemic, the proportion of their lives spent in good health is still getting smaller. Back in 2011, when the ONS first collected this data, men were expected to remain in good health until around the age of 63, and women 64. Today, they could both expect around 61 years of healthy life."
Looking at the broader picture, healthy life expectancy for the whole of England in 2022-24 stood at 61.3 years for females and 60.9 years for males, which is the highest among the four countries of the UK. Northern Ireland followed with 60.7 years for females and 60.8 for males, then Scotland with 59.4 years and 59.1 years respectively, and Wales with 58.5 years and 59.2 years.
Expert Analysis and Policy Implications
Dr Jamie O’Halloran, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, provided critical insight into the data: "Today’s figures show that where you live determines how many years you spend in good health – and that gap isn’t closing. Reforming the NHS and bringing care closer to communities can help reduce health inequalities, but most of what shapes our physical and mental health lies outside the health system. Without tackling those root causes, we won’t see the gains we need."
The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies that address the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to these disparities. As the geographical divide continues to expand, policymakers face increasing pressure to implement targeted interventions that can reverse the decline in healthy life expectancy and promote greater equity across regions.
