Life expectancy in Scotland has increased for both men and women, though it remains the lowest in the United Kingdom, according to new data from the National Records of Scotland. The figures for the period from 2022 to 2024 indicate that life expectancy at birth is estimated at 77.12 years for men and 81.06 years for women. This marks an improvement of approximately a quarter of a year for females and a third of a year for males compared to the previous three-year period of 2021 to 2023.
Despite these gains, Scotland’s life expectancy figures continue to lag behind those of other UK countries. In this latest data, life expectancy in Scotland is over two years lower than in England for both men and women, and more than a year lower compared to Wales. The disparity between the most and least affluent areas is particularly alarming, with men in wealthier regions expected to live an astonishing 13.2 years longer than their counterparts in the least affluent areas. For women, the gap is also substantial at 10.5 years.
Regional Disparities Highlighted
The data further illustrates significant differences in life expectancy based on geographic location. Those residing in rural areas generally enjoy longer life expectancies compared to their urban counterparts. Among Scotland’s 32 council areas, life expectancy is highest in East Renfrewshire and lowest in Glasgow City. Specifically, women in East Renfrewshire can expect to live 6.2 years longer than those in Glasgow City, while the difference for men is even more pronounced at 7.2 years.
Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics at NRS, commented on the findings, stating, “Life expectancy has risen since the Covid-19 pandemic and is now similar to the pre-pandemic figures. The gap between Scotland’s most and least deprived areas remains significant, and large differences in life expectancy can be seen between local authorities.”
Implications for Public Health
The data underscores ongoing public health challenges in Scotland, particularly in addressing inequalities. While the rise in life expectancy is a positive development, the stark variations between different regions highlight the need for targeted health interventions. Policymakers are urged to consider these disparities as they develop strategies to improve health outcomes across the country.
Overall, the latest statistics reveal a complex picture of health in Scotland, where improvements in life expectancy coexist with significant regional inequalities. The focus now shifts to how these insights can inform future health policies and initiatives aimed at closing the life expectancy gap.
