England’s north-south life expectancy gap widens despite record highs
8 reported
A single-source report from The Guardian states that the north-south divide in life expectancy in England has grown over the past decade, with northern regions experiencing more illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, suicides, and deaths related to alcohol and drug misuse. Provisional figures show life expectancy reached an all-time high in 2025, with men and women in England living on average 80 years and nearly 84 years respectively, but the gains were overwhelmingly in the south, according to the King’s Fund. London’s life expectancy rose by nearly a year in the decade to 2023-25, while the five northern regions experienced little or no rise, reflecting greater levels of deprivation. The King’s Fund reported that people in London can now expect to live three years longer than those in the north-east, with local disparities reaching 10 years for men and eight years for women between Blackpool and Hart. The government’s 10-year plan for the NHS aims to increase healthy life expectancy and halve the gap between richest and poorest, but the King’s Fund called the goal “unrealistic.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is taking action, including repurposing £2.2bn for deprived areas.
What’s reported
The north-south life expectancy gap in England has grown over the past decade.
Life expectancy reached an all-time high in 2025: men 80 years, women nearly 84 years.
London’s life expectancy rose by nearly a year in the decade to 2023-25; five northern regions saw little or no rise.
People in London live three years longer than those in the north-east.
Life expectancy in Blackpool is 10 years shorter for men and eight years shorter for women than in Hart, Hampshire.
Healthy life expectancy fell in all regions of England in the decade to 2022-24, with people spending about 2.5 years longer in poor health.
The government aims to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy; the King’s Fund called the goal “unrealistic.”
The Department of Health and Social Care is repurposing £2.2bn for critical resources in deprived areas.
Key figures
Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the King’s Fund
Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
