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Healthy life expectancy in UK falls by two years in past decade
A new report based on ONS data finds the UK's healthy life expectancy has fallen by around two years over the past decade to just under 61 for both men and women. The analysis compares 2012-2014 with 2022-2024 and cites poverty, housing, obesity and the Covid pandemic as drivers, with significant regional and socioeconomic disparities. The wealthiest areas enjoy far longer healthy lifespans than the poorest, while London is the only region that improved.
Why It Matters
The decline suggests health inequalities are affecting people’s ability to work and participate in education and training, with potential broader economic costs.
Timeline
8 Events
Expert commentary on health inequalities and economic costs
April 27, 2026
Andrew Mooney said: "The UK has the highest levels of obesity in western Europe and there has been a surge in mental ill health, especially among young people." He added: "This had created 'a significant economic cost, with poor health driving people out of the workforce and locking young people out of education, employment and training'." Layla McCay said: "The figures are a stark reminder of how deeply health inequalities are affecting people's lives, with too many communities in deprived areas spending more years in poor health. Our members have been clear that the answer has to be prevention first - tackling the wider determinants of health, strengthening community-based care and improving access to support closer to home."
Impact on work and ill-health
April 27, 2026
The report said this had a significant impact on the ability of people to work and aligned with other figures showing high numbers out of work because of ill-health.
HLE below state pension age in most areas
April 27, 2026
In more than 90% of areas the HLE was now below the state pension age of 66 or 67 and in one in 10 it was below 55.
London the only region with improved HLE
April 27, 2026
London was the only region that saw an improvement in HLE over the period.
Hartlepool HLE reported at 51 for women
April 27, 2026
In Hartlepool, HLE was 51 for women.
Blackpool HLE reported at 51 for men
April 27, 2026
In Blackpool, HLE was 51 for men.
Richmond in London has the highest HLE
April 27, 2026
In England, Richmond in London had the highest rates of HLE at 69 for men and 70 for women.
Report on healthy life expectancy findings released
April 27, 2026
A new report, using Office for National Statistics data from 2012-2014 and 2022-2024, finds that healthy life expectancy in the UK has fallen by around two years over the past decade to just under 61 for both men and women. The UK is one of five of the richest 21 countries to see a decline, with the fall described as the second steepest. The analysis uses data from 2012-2014 and 2022-2024 and attributes the decline to poverty, poor housing and lifestyle factors such as obesity, along with the impact of the Covid pandemic. It notes a stark gap between the wealthiest 10% of areas and the poorest, with those in the wealthiest areas expected to have around 20 more years of good health. It defines HLE as the years of life lived in good health based on surveys and mortality data.