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England's Life Expectancy Declining Fastest in Europe

by DD Staff

February 19, 2025

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key takeaways

A recent study in The Lancet Public Health Journal found that life expectancy increase is halting in Europe, with England experiencing the largest fall.

Life expectancy increased by 0.23 years throughout the continent between 1990 and 2011, but only by 0.15 years between 2011 and 2019. Norway was the only country where it increased from 0.21 to 0.23 years.

Life expectancy in England decreased from 0.25 to 0.07 years, a decrease of 0.18 years.

In the UK, life expectancy growth also decreased. Wales and Scotland experienced a 0.15-year decline, while Northern Ireland experienced a 0.16-year decline.

Why is life expectancy declining?

Researchers attribute England’s declining life expectancy to rising deaths from neoplasms, commonly known as tumors.

Cancer rates have been increasing, with the number of Britons living with the disease expected to reach 3.4 million this year.

While life expectancy rose between 1990 and 2011 due to reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer, progress slowed after 2011.

The study found that across all countries, cardiovascular disease was the main factor behind slower life expectancy gains from 2011–2019, while respiratory infections and COVID-19-related deaths contributed to declines from 2019–2021.

During this period, improvements in high LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure also stagnated, while obesity steadily increased. Other health risks, such as poor diet, alcohol consumption, and low physical activity, remained prevalent.

Sarah Price, NHS England’s public health director, emphasized the importance of prevention, calling it a key focus of the upcoming 10-year health plan.

“The slowdown in life expectancy improvements, particularly due to cardiovascular disease and cancer, highlights the urgent need for stronger action on the root causes – poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity,” she said.

The study also urges governments to address commercial factors impacting health and ensure access to affordable healthcare services.