Scots life expectancy is rising but it's the lowest in western Europe

Life expectancy in Scotland is the lowest in western Europe, despite latest statistics showing a slight rise in average longevity.

Females born between 2021 and 2023 can expect to live 80.9 years, while the comparable figure for males is 76.9 years, data from National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows.

Although it is an increase of almost seven weeks for women and 14 weeks for men since 2020-22, it is below pre-pandemic levels and Scots still have a shorter lifespan than people in England or Wales.

There is also a gap of more than ten years for both sexes in the poorest and richest areas.

Scotland’s life expectancy peaked at just over 81 years for females and 77 for males in 2012-14 before then falling.

The impact of Covid and the drugs death crisis are two of the factors behind the decline while poverty also plays a part.

The NRS said: ‘Scotland has the lowest life expectancy of all western European countries.’

Scotland also lags behind other UK nations. The report added: ‘Life expectancy was over two years lower compared to England for both females and males. The difference compared to Wales was lower although still over a year.’

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, said: ‘After 17 years in power, this SNP government must explain why Scotland is languishing at the bottom of the European table and lagging behind other devolved nations.

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‘We should all have a decent chance of a healthy life, wherever we are born. The SNP must tackle drugs deaths urgently, reduce NHS waiting lists and improve public health.’

The latest data showed life expectancy for males in the most deprived areas of Scotland is 13.2 years less than it is in the richest parts – with the gap for females slightly smaller at 10.5 years.

Glasgow had the worst lifespan for both women and men at 78.3 years and 73.6 years respectively. 

In neighbouring East Renfrewshire women can expect to live almost six years longer at 84.5 years and men have more than seven extra years until 81 – the highest in Scotland for both sexes.

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘On the SNP’s watch, Scotland has the worst drug deaths rate in Europe and alcohol deaths are at their worst level since 2008.

‘Cancer waiting times have not been met in well over a decade and one in six Scots are on NHS waiting lists. 

'It is hardly surprising life expectancy rates are far worse than they used to be.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Deprivation is a significant driver of excess mortality and we’re focused on action to drive improvements and continue to allocate around £3billion a year to policies tackling poverty.’