Healthy life expectancy in Scotland falls to ten-year low

The average length of time that people in Scotland can expect to live in good health has fallen to a near ten-year low, according to new figures.

A report by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) has shown that the estimated healthy life expectancy (HLE) has reached its lowest since records began in 2014.

The latest figures for 2021-2023 found that females can expect to enjoy 60 years of good health and males 59.6 years on average at birth.

The report also found that HLE is falling at a faster rate than life expectancy for both men and women.

Similar to life expectancy, HLE is an average, meaning some individuals may fall into ill health younger than the average, and others may remain in good health longer than the average.

The figures published on Tuesday could be influenced by several factors, including the pandemic, as the data is calculated over three-year periods.

The NRS said the figures also highlight inequalities in HLE across council areas.

It said there is more uncertainty around estimates for smaller populations such as Shetland and Orkney, which show the longest periods spent in good health.

The councils with the highest HLE at birth were the Orkney Islands, at 72.1 years, the Shetland Islands, at 70 years, and Perth and Kinross, at 66.6 years.

Whereas, the councils with the lowest HLE at birth were North Lanarkshire, 52.5 years, and North Ayrshire, 52.5 years.

Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics at NRS, said that between mainland authorities, there are also big differences in healthy life expectancy at birth.

“North Lanarkshire and North Ayrshire have the lowest healthy life expectancies for males and females.

“This compares with Perth and Kinross, where the average female has around 14 years longer healthy life expectancy and the average male around 13 years more spent in good health.”

The report also found that compared to Scotland, healthy life expectancy is higher in England for both females and males.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Whilst it is welcome that healthy life expectancy for those aged 65-69 has remained relatively stable over the past decade, the UK-wide trend on lower health life expectancy at birth is concerning.

“In Scotland, we are focused on eradicating child poverty and tackling the stubborn health inequalities that are an obstacle to people living longer and healthier lives.

“That is why we are providing a record £21bn for health and social care this year, and why our ten-year Population Health Framework focuses on action in the early years of children’s lives, as well as improving jobs and income to help people thrive and prevent poor health in the long term.

“These statistics and new methodology are in development but will assist our further planning of our health and care services.

“However, this Government is also clear that over a decade of Westminster austerity has had a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of families, pushing more households into poverty.

“The UK Government must urgently reverse its planned welfare cuts to prevent any further harm to our population’s health.”