Two Merseyside areas have been ranked among those with the lowest healthy life expectancy in England and Wales, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Stark geographical divide
The data shows a stark divide in how long people can expect to live in good health depending on where they are born. In some parts of England and Wales, people can expect more than 75 years of good health, while in others the figure is less than 50 years.
The ONS compiled the statistics using a new method based on information gathered in the 2021 Census, calculating healthy life expectancy for more than 7,200 areas across England and Wales.
The figures highlight a clear north-south divide. Areas with the highest healthy life expectancy are all in southern England, while those with the lowest are located elsewhere.
National averages
Across England, the median healthy life expectancy at birth between 2019 and 2023 was 66.8 years for women and 65.3 years for men. In Wales, the figures were lower, at 63.8 years for women and 62.5 years for men.
However, the national averages mask significant differences between communities.
Merseyside areas affected
In Merseyside, two Wirral areas featured among the places with the shortest healthy life expectancy. Birkenhead Central appeared in the bottom 10 for both men and women. Boys born in the area between 2019 and 2023 can expect to live 47.8 years in good health, while the figure for girls is 50.5 years.
Tranmere also ranked among the 10 lowest for men, with a healthy life expectancy at birth of 49.7 years.
Highest life expectancy areas
At the opposite end of the scale, people born in the Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Hyde Park area of Westminster can expect the longest period of good health, with healthy life expectancy reaching 81.2 years for women and 78.3 years for men.
The figures also show that areas in Blackpool account for four of the 10 lowest healthy life expectancy estimates for men and three of the 10 lowest for women, while London dominates the rankings for the highest life expectancy, with six of the top 10 areas for men and five for women.
Top 10 highest for men
- Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Hyde Park (Westminster, London) 78.3 years
- = Hans Town (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 77.1 years
- = South Kensington (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 77.1 years
- Queen’s Gate (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 77.0 years
- Oxshott & Stoke D’Abernon (Surrey) 76.9 years
- = Barkham & Woose Hill (Berkshire) 76.6 years
- = Worminghall, Long Crendon & Cuddington (Buckinghamshire) 76.6 years
- Notting Hill South (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 76.5 years
- = Harpenden Town (Hertfordshire) 76.3 years
- = Marylebone & Park Lane (Westminster, London) 76.3 years
Top 10 lowest for men
- Central Stockton & Portrack (Stockton-on-Tees) 47.7 years
- Birkenhead Central (Wirral) 47.8 years
- Central Blackpool (Lancashire) 47.9 years
- Grimsby East Marsh & Port (North East Lincolnshire) 48.0 years
- Arboretum, Forest & Trent University (Nottingham) 48.9 years
- Blyth Cowpen (Northumberland) 49.3 years
- South Promenade & Seasiders Way (Blackpool, Lancashire) 49.6 years
- Tranmere (Wirral) 49.7 years
- = North East Centre (Blackpool, Lancashire) 49.8 years
- = North Shore (Blackpool, Lancashire) 49.8 years
Top 10 highest for women
- = Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Hyde Park (Westminster, London) 81.2 years
- = Hans Town (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 81.2 years
- Barkham & Woose Hill (Berkshire) 79.1 years
- Harpenden Common (Hertfordshire) 78.4 years
- Queen’s Gate (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 78.0 years
- = North Central Oxford (Oxfordshire) 77.9 years
- = Oxshott & Stoke D’Abernon (Surrey) 77.9 years
- = Pewley Down & The Mount (Surrey) 77.9 years
- = Richmond Central (Richmond upon Thames, London) 77.9 years
- = South Kensington (Kensington & Chelsea, London) 77.8 years
- = West Chiltington Common (Sussex) 77.8 years
Top 10 lowest for women
- Grimsby East Marsh & Port (North East Lincolnshire) 49.0 years
- North East Centre (Blackpool, Lancashire) 50.0 years
- Barkerend West & Little Germany (Bradford) 50.2 years
- Birkenhead Central (Wirral) 50.5 years
- Townhill (Swansea) 50.6 years
- South Promenade & Seasiders Way (Blackpool, Lancashire) 50.8 years
- Ely East (Cardiff) 51.3 years
- Holme Wood (Bradford) 51.4 years
- Little Layton & Little Carleton (Blackpool, Lancashire) 51.6 years
- = Barkerend East (Bradford) 51.7 years
- = Barrow Central (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria) 51.7 years
