5. Life expectancy at birth, comparisons over time

5.1 Council areas

5.1.1 Figure 8 shows how male life expectancy within Council areas has changed since 1991-1993, with Council areas ordered from left to right by the lowest to highest life expectancy in 1991-1993.

5.1.2 Figure 9 shows how female life expectancy has also changed within Council areas since 1991-1993, with Council areas ordered from left to right by the lowest to highest life expectancy in 1991-1993.

5.1.3 Table 6 and Table 7 compare male and female life expectancies in 2011-2013 with those for 2001-2003 and 2006-2008 and give rankings for each area in the respective years. Comparisons made between these rankings should be treated with caution and do not imply differences in life expectancy.

5.1.4 Male life expectancy has risen in all Council areas since 2001-2003, with the biggest increase of 7.6 per cent (5.4 years) being in Eilean Siar. Female life expectancy has increased in most Council areas since 2001-2003. In Eilean Siar there was a small decrease but this was not significant (Section 2.2). East Dunbartonshire Council saw the biggest rise in female life expectancy, increasing by 4.2 per cent (3.4 years).

Figure 8: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 1991-1993 to 2011-2013, by Council area, Males

Figure 8: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 1991-1993 to 2011-2013, by Council area, Males (continued)

Figure 9: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 1991-1993 to 2011-2013, by Council area, Females

Figure 9: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 1991-1993 to 2011-2013, by Council area, Females (continued)

5.2 NHS Board areas

5.2.1 Figure 10 shows how male life expectancy has changed in NHS Board areas since 2000-2002 and is ordered from left to right by the lowest to highest life expectancy in 2000-2002. Figure 11 shows the same information for female life expectancy in NHS Board areas. Estimates are available from 2000-2002 because life expectancy estimates for earlier years for the new 2014 NHS Board areas are not available.

Figure 10: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 2000-2002 to 2011-2013, by NHS Board area¹, Males

Figure 11: Life expectancy at birth in Scotland, 2000-2002 to 2011-2013, by NHS Board area¹, Females

5.2.2 Table 6 and Table 7 compare male and female life expectancies in 2011-2013 with those for 2001-2003 and 2006-2008 and give rankings for each area in the respective years. Comparisons made between these rankings are subject to the margin of error within the life expectancy estimates.

5.2.3 Male life expectancy has risen in all NHS Board areas since 2001-2003, with Western Isles showing the biggest improvement, increasing by 7.6 per cent (5.4 years). Although male life expectancy in Greater Glasgow & Clyde remained at the same ranking of 14, it was third in terms of improvement, having increased by 5.6 per cent (4.0 years) since 2001-2003.

5.2.4 Female life expectancy increased in all areas except in Western Isles where there was no significant change (Section 2.2). Borders NHS Board saw the biggest improvement, rising by 3.3 per cent (2.6 years).