Historical trend
Trend summary
Life expectancy at birth was 81 years in 2024, up from 81 years in 2023.
Trend
- Over the available record (1965–2024), it has ranged from 72 years in 1966 to 81 years in 2024.
- The most recent reading is the highest in the available record.
Context
- ONS publishes national life tables for three-year rolling periods; England, Wales, Scotland, and NI figures differ.
- Life expectancy at birth measures expected years of life under current age-specific mortality rates; it is not a projection.
Generated from the published series — describes direction, magnitude and range only, with no editorial judgement or forecasts.
G7 comparison
UK ranks #4 of 7 in the G7 (higher is better)
🇯🇵 Japan
84 years
🇮🇹 Italy
83 years
🇫🇷 France
83 years
🇨🇦 Canada
82 years
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
81 years
🇩🇪 Germany
81 years
🇺🇸 United States
78 years