Latest life expectancy data reinforces need for continued cross-sector action - News

New figures from National Records of Scotland show that life expectancy in Scotland has increased in the latest three-year period (2022–2024)*. This is welcome progress. Life expectancy remains similar to pre-pandemic levels and continues to be lower than in other UK nations. Males and females living in Scotland’s most deprived areas can expect to live around 13.2 and 10.5 fewer years, respectively, than those living in our least deprived areas.

Progress is possible – but further improvement requires sustained focus and collective action. Addressing the building blocks of health and shifting to a system where prevention is prioritised over treatment are critical to improving life expectancy between Scotland’s most and least deprived areas.

Action is needed to:

reduce poverty
improve diet and healthy weight
strengthen economic conditions
ensure supportive environments
reduce the influence of health harming commodities

Scotland has already taken bold action to improve health - including banning smoking in public places and the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol.

We now have the opportunity to accelerate progress through Scotland's Population Health Framework. This is the most important framework in more than a decade for preventing ill health and improving health outcomes across the population. The framework is ambitious, collaborative and grounded firmly in evidence.

As Scotland’s national public body for population health, improving life expectancy and wellbeing in Scotland is at the heart of our mission.

We will continue to provide the evidence, expertise and partnership working needed across sectors to turn the Population Health Framework into action.

Our next long-term strategy, due to be published in early 2026, will have the improvement of life expectancy and a narrowing of the inequalities gap at its core, and it will set out the steps PHS will take to achieve this.

Reflecting on the figures, Dr Fatim Lakha, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health Scotland said: 

“Life expectancy tells us about the progress we are making as a society. While recent levels are comparable with the highest we have achieved in Scotland, the gap between our most and least advantaged communities remains far too wide.

“People living in poverty, and those facing multiple disadvantages, continue to experience poorer health and earlier death – bold action can change this.

“Scotland’s Population Health Framework provides a robust foundation for long term action to improve life expectancy and reduce inequalities. We need targeted, evidence-based action, delivered at pace and in partnership, so that everyone in Scotland can live longer, healthier lives.”

* The increase in life expectancy reflects that life expectancy for males and females in 2024 was amongst the highest recorded, combined with the removal of the pandemic-affected year 2021 from the rolling average.