People in the UK are now spending fewer years in good health than they were a decade ago, with a new study warning that the nation's overall health is deteriorating compared to other wealthy countries.
The analysis by the Health Foundation found that healthy life expectancy — the number of years people live free from illness or disability — has declined significantly across Britain.
Healthy life expectancy drops across the UK
As reported by The Guardian, healthy life expectancy for men fell from 62.9 years in 2012–14 to 60.7 years in 2022–24. For women, it dropped from 63.7 years to 60.9 years over the same period. The study, based on data from the Office for National Statistics, also found that people in more than 90% of UK areas are now developing serious health conditions before reaching the state pension age of 66.
Experts warn of worsening national health
Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, was quoted as saying by The Guardian that the findings reveal a “stark truth” about the country’s declining health. She pointed to rising obesity, increasing mental health issues, and a growing number of chronic conditions as key factors behind the trend.
The UK is now among the lowest-ranked countries in terms of healthy life expectancy, falling from 14th to 20th place in a comparison of 21 nations. The report highlights major health inequalities, with significant gaps between richer and poorer regions. While areas such as Richmond upon Thames report much higher healthy life expectancy, places like Blackpool and Hartlepool show far lower figures.
Experts say factors including obesity, alcohol and drug-related deaths, and widening inequality are contributing to the decline. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care was quoted as saying by The Guardian that the trend is a “disgrace” and highlighted measures such as anti-smoking policies and restrictions on junk food advertising.
However, the findings raise concerns about long-term impacts on the workforce, education, and healthcare systems, with experts warning that more comprehensive action is needed to reverse the decline. The study underscores growing fears that without structural changes, the UK’s health outcomes may continue to lag behind other developed nations.
