ONS: Regional variation in life expectancy at 65 grows

In the ONS' 2009-2011 study, female at-65 life expectancy was 23.7 years in Kensington and Chelsea and East Dorset compared to 18 years in Corby. The variation has risen since the 2008-2010 study where it ranged by 5.4 years between Kensington and Chelsea and Manchester.

There were also significant variations for men. In East Dorset, males aged 65 can expect to live 20.9 years compared to 15.4 years in Manchester. There was little change from 2008-10 where Westminster came top with 20.8 years.

UK male life expectancy at birth can vary by up to 9.2 years depending on the local area. The ONS found males born in East Dorset could expect to live until 83, however, Blackpool's male life expectancy comes in much lower at 73.8.

A similar trend is seen for females with a regional variation of 7.1 years (86.4 to 79.3) seen between East Dorset and Manchester.

Overall for England and Wales, male at-65 life expectancy was 18.35 years - 2.26 years higher than in 2000. Female life expectancy was 21 years, 1.81 years higher than in 2000.

Life expectancy at birth was 78.81 for males, 3.22 years higher than 10 years previous. Female life expectancy was higher at 82.81, rising at a slower rate of 2.47 years.

Mortality rates showed that 91% of males born in East Dorset during 2009-2011 could expect to live to 65. This was 94% for females. However, this was only 77% for males in Blackpool and 86% for females in Manchester.

The ONS said the distribution of life expectancy was characterised by a north-south divide. It highlighted over a fifth of local areas in the east, south-east and south-west were in the top 20% of life-expectancy rates. There were none from the north-east, north-west or Wales.

Barnett Waddingham consultant Malcolm Mclean said the contrast between life expectancies in East Dorset and areas in the north-west could stem from lifestyle and wealth factors.

He added: "In pension terms, the differences in life expectancy ratios would appear to support the case for regional annuity rates while underlining the problems inherent in having a single state pension age for all.

"This problem is likely to increase at an even greater rate of knots as the population ages and the costs put a bigger strain on government finances in the years ahead."

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• Topics
• Income
• life expectancy
• Office of National Statistics