Scots have lowest life expectancy in UK despite return to pre-pandemic levels

Life expectancy in Scotland has returned to pre-pandemic levels – but the country continues to have the lowest life expectancy in the UK.

Official figures also show men living in the most deprived parts of Scotland have a life expectancy that is 13.2 years lower than it is for men in the most affluent areas.

Data from National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows that over the period 2022 to 2024, life expectancy at birth – which estimates the average number of years a newborn might live for – was 77.12 years for males and 81.06 years for females.

However NRS noted: “Scotland had the lowest life expectancy of all UK countries for both females and males in 2022-2024.”

Over the period 2022-24, life expectancy was two years lower in Scotland than in England for both females and males, NRS said, adding that life expectancy in Wales is over a year greater than in Scotland.

The paper went on to state: “Life expectancy in Scotland continues to be low compared to other countries in Europe, particularly compared to other Western European countries.”

However after life expectancy in Scotland fell during the Covid pandemic, NRS found it had risen again and “is now at a similar level to before the pandemic”.

Despite this, the Scottish Conservatives claimed the figures are a “damning indictment of the incompetence of successive SNP health secretaries”, and they called on First Minister John Swinney to “take urgent action to improve the health of the nation”.

The figures show life expectancy for men in the most deprived parts of Scotland was 13.2 years less than it was for males in the least deprived communities.

For women the gap was smaller, but the figures show female life expectancy was 10.5 years lower in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

East Renfrewshire had the highest life expectancy in Scotland, at 84.9 years for females and 81.5 years for males.

But the neighbouring Glasgow City Council area had the lowest, with female life expectancy of 78.7 years and male life expectancy of 74.3 years.

NRS said: “There is a 6.2-year difference in life expectancy between East Renfrewshire and Glasgow City for females, and a 7.2-year difference for males.”

Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “After nearly two decades of SNP rule, Scotland remains the sick man of Western Europe.

“The nation’s poor life expectancy is a damning indictment of the incompetence of successive SNP health secretaries who have allowed NHS waiting times to spiral out of control and failed to tackle the drug deaths crisis.

“As ever, it’s those in the most deprived areas who are hardest hit by nationalist failure.

“It’s unacceptable that Scots are still facing a postcode lottery when it comes to the length and quality of their life.

“John Swinney should recognise the devastating impact of his policies and take urgent action to improve the health of the nation.”

Other parties also hit out at the Scottish Government, with Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie saying: “These stark figures show life expectancy in Scotland remains too low and shameful inequalities continue to plague our country.

“While any increase in life expectancy is welcome, it’s clear things aren’t improving quickly enough under the SNP.

“It is a scandal that people in Scotland’s poorest communities are seeing their lives cut short by more than a decade.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “The SNP are holding Scotland back.

“From long delays for cancer treatment to endless waiting lists for operations, their failures are directly harming some of the most vulnerable Scots.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.