Life expectancy in Scotland increases

Life expectancy in Scotland increased slightly for both males and females according to new figures from National Records of Scotland. 

The life expectancy for 2021-2023 is 80.9 years for females and 76.9 years for males. Compared to the estimate for 2020-2022, this is an increase of about 14 weeks for males and almost 7 weeks for females.

The national figures are still down on where they were prior to the pandemic and most local authorities’ figures are still lower than they were at this point. 

Scotland continues to have lower life expectancy than England and Wales. 

NRS Statistician Phillipa Haxton said: 

“Life expectancy in Scotland peaked in 2012-2014 and plateaued until 2017-2019. Thereafter there was a fall. 

“Today’s figures are still below the peak of 10 to 12 years ago.” 

Life expectancy varies across Scotland’s local authority areas and is strongly linked to deprivation. It is highest in East Renfrewshire, one of the least deprived parts of the country and lowest in the City of Glasgow, the most deprived. 

Female life expectancy was 10.5 years lower in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived. In the most deprived areas male life expectancy lagged 13.2 years behind the least deprived. 

Life expectancy was highest in remote rural areas and lowest in large urban areas.

Notes 

The full publication, Life Expectancy 2021-2023, is available on the NRS website alongside data tables including breakdowns for local authorities and health boards.

Life Expectancy Data for the UK is released by ONS and can be found on their website.

Contact: Susie Rose at [email protected]