UK losing years of good health as study shows decline in healthy life expectancy over past decade

People in the United Kingdom are spending fewer years in good health compared with a decade ago, according to new analysis that raises concerns about the nation’s long term health trajectory and places Britain on a worrying path compared with many other high income countries. The findings suggest that while life expectancy has broadly remained high, the number of years people live free from illness or disability has declined significantly, leading experts to warn that overall population health is “going backwards” rather than improving in line with global peers. The research highlights a growing gap between longevity and quality of life, with more people living longer but experiencing more years in poor health.

The analysis, conducted by the Health Foundation using data from the Office for National Statistics, shows a clear fall in healthy life expectancy for both men and women across the UK. For men, the figure has dropped from 62.9 years in the 2012 to 2014 period to 60.7 years in the 2022 to 2024 period. For women, the decline is from 63.7 years to 60.9 years over the same timeframe. This means that although people may still be living into their late seventies or eighties on average, a growing proportion of those years are now affected by chronic illness, disability, or reduced physical and mental wellbeing. Experts say this shift has major implications for the National Health Service, social care systems, and workforce productivity.

The study also highlights how the UK is diverging from trends seen in other developed nations. Across 20 comparable countries, healthy life expectancy has increased slightly on average, with gains of around four tenths of a year. Countries such as Japan, Norway, and Spain have continued to see gradual improvements in the number of years people spend in good health, suggesting that better prevention strategies, stronger public health systems, and broader social determinants of health may be playing a role. In contrast, the UK stands out as one of the few nations where both men and women have experienced a decline, raising questions about long term policy direction and investment in preventative healthcare.

Health experts warn that the decline is not simply a medical issue but reflects wider social and economic pressures. Rising levels of obesity, increasing rates of long term conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders, as well as disparities in income and access to healthcare, are all believed to be contributing factors. The Health Foundation argues that without a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention, the pressure on hospitals and general practice will continue to grow, potentially overwhelming services already under strain. It also warns that poorer health outcomes are likely to deepen inequalities between different regions and socioeconomic groups within the UK.

The findings have renewed calls for a shift in national health strategy, with experts urging greater investment in public health initiatives, healthier food environments, improved housing conditions, and expanded access to community based care. Policymakers are being encouraged to treat healthy life expectancy as a key measure of national progress rather than focusing solely on overall lifespan. As the data shows a sustained decline over the past decade, researchers caution that reversing the trend will require long term commitment and coordinated action across government, healthcare systems, and society as a whole.