Life Expectancy at Birth: United Kingdom
United Kingdom's life expectancy at birth is currently 81.387 years as of 2024. # United Kingdom Life Expectancy at Birth The United Kingdom's life expectancy at birth reached 81.
Current (2024)
81.387 years
+0.2% y/y
Peak (2024)
81.387 years
Low (1963)
70.827 years
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Life Expectancy at Birth — United Kingdom
1960 — 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth — United Kingdom
Analysis# United Kingdom Life Expectancy at Birth
The United Kingdom's life expectancy at birth reached 81.387 years in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a substantial 14.4% improvement since 1960, when life expectancy stood at 70.827 years. Over six decades, UK residents have gained roughly a decade of additional lifespan, reflecting advances in healthcare, living standards, and public health infrastructure.
Recent years have revealed volatility in this upward trend. A notable dip occurred in 2020, when life expectancy dropped to 80.332 years—the lowest point since 2012—corresponding with excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery followed swiftly, with gains of 0.315 years in 2021 and continued improvement through 2024. The steady climb from 2021 onwards suggests the UK has successfully rebounded and resumed its long-term trajectory toward increasing life expectancy.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81.387 years | +0.18% |
| 2023 | 81.238 years | +0.28% |
| 2022 | 81.011 years | +0.45% |
| 2021 | 80.647 years | +0.39% |
| 2020 | 80.332 years | -1.27% |
| 2019 | 81.369 years | +0.14% |
| 2018 | 81.256 years | +0.00% |
| 2017 | 81.256 years | +0.12% |
| 2016 | 81.156 years | +0.25% |
| 2015 | 80.956 years | -0.43% |
| 2014 | 81.305 years | +0.37% |
| 2013 | 81.005 years | +0.12% |
| 2012 | 80.905 years | -0.06% |
| 2011 | 80.951 years | +0.68% |
| 2010 | 80.402 years | +0.44% |
| 2009 | 80.051 years | +0.57% |
| 2008 | 79.6 years | +0.19% |
| 2007 | 79.449 years | +0.25% |
| 2006 | 79.249 years | +0.25% |
| 2005 | 79.049 years | +0.38% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 78.746 years | +0.38% |
| 2003 | 78.446 years | +0.39% |
| 2002 | 78.144 years | +0.19% |
| 2001 | 77.993 years | +0.32% |
| 2000 | 77.741 years | +0.45% |
| 1999 | 77.39 years | +0.26% |
| 1998 | 77.19 years | -0.03% |
| 1997 | 77.211 years | +0.16% |
| 1996 | 77.088 years | +0.33% |
| 1995 | 76.837 years | -0.06% |
| 1994 | 76.885 years | +0.65% |
| 1993 | 76.385 years | -0.06% |
| 1992 | 76.434 years | +0.46% |
| 1991 | 76.083 years | +0.27% |
| 1990 | 75.88 years | +0.39% |
| 1989 | 75.583 years | +0.27% |
| 1988 | 75.38 years | +0.13% |
| 1987 | 75.28 years | +0.47% |
| 1986 | 74.929 years | +0.40% |
| 1985 | 74.629 years | -0.20% |
| 1984 | 74.778 years | +0.54% |
| 1983 | 74.378 years | +0.27% |
| 1982 | 74.178 years | +0.20% |
| 1981 | 74.027 years | +0.48% |
| 1980 | 73.676 years | +0.55% |
| 1979 | 73.276 years | +0.14% |
| 1978 | 73.176 years | -0.07% |
| 1977 | 73.224 years | +0.62% |
| 1976 | 72.776 years | +0.07% |
| 1975 | 72.724 years | +0.28% |
| 1974 | 72.524 years | +0.28% |
| 1973 | 72.324 years | +0.28% |
| 1972 | 72.124 years | -0.21% |
| 1971 | 72.273 years | +0.42% |
| 1970 | 71.973 years | +0.35% |
| 1969 | 71.722 years | -0.00% |
| 1968 | 71.724 years | -0.55% |
| 1967 | 72.124 years | +0.77% |
| 1966 | 71.573 years | -0.07% |
| 1965 | 71.624 years | +0.00% |
| 1964 | 71.624 years | +1.13% |
| 1963 | 70.827 years | -0.14% |
| 1962 | 70.927 years | +0.07% |
| 1961 | 70.878 years | -0.35% |
| 1960 | 71.127 years | — |
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