Healthy life expectancy in the United Kingdom has declined by over two years between 2012-14 and 2022-24. The average now stands at 60.7 years for males and 60.9 years for females.
The UK is one of only five high-income nations to experience such a fall, with a decline steeper than all but the United States. Crucially, overall life expectancy has remained largely unchanged, suggesting that a worsening of self-reported health is the primary driver.
Significant decreases were observed across England, Scotland, and Wales, while Northern Ireland saw less dramatic changes. In over 90% of UK local areas, healthy life expectancy has now fallen below the state pension age of 66.
Analysis also shows a widening gap in healthy life expectancy between affluent and deprived areas. In England, the difference is now nearly 20 years for both males and females. In the most deprived areas, healthy life expectancy has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
The Health Foundation warns these findings support mounting evidence of declining population health, particularly among the working-age population. The organization calls for a new governmental approach prioritizing public health improvements and cross-government action to address the issue.