What the latest healthy life expectancy estimates tell us

In our latest blog, Dr Fatim Lakha, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Dr Grant Wyper, Principal Epidemiologist at Public Health Scotland (PHS) reflect on the latest healthy life expectancy statistics published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS). They explain what the figures mean for Scotland, offer insight into why progress has stalled, and outline how PHS will work with partners to realise the vision of our new 10-year strategy.

New figures from the NRS offer an important reflection on the nation’s health. Healthy life expectancy shows how long we can expect to live in good health – not just how long we live.

For the period 2022-2024, females in Scotland can expect 59.4 years of good health, while males can expect 59.1 years.

Why this matters?  

This matters not only for individuals, families and communities – but for Scotland’s wider ambitions. Poor health limits people’s abilities to learn, to work, to care for others and participate fully in their communities. It places growing pressure on health and social care services and risks widening existing inequalities.

Improving healthy life expectancy is therefore fundamental to Scotland’s social and economic wellbeing.

The inequality gap: a tale of two Scotlands

Behind the national average sits a persistent and deeply unfair gap.

Women living in the least deprived communities can expect to spend 26.7 more years in good health than those in the most deprived areas. For men, the gap is 25.6 years.

Postcode itself does not cause poor health. But the circumstances linked to where people live – such as income, housing, education, employment, access to services and the local environment - shape people’s chances of living a long and healthy life.

Why has progress stalled?

 There is no single cause. The long-term plateau in healthy life expectancy reflects:

• Persistently high levels of poverty and financial insecurity
• Rising levels of multiple long-term conditions, particularly in more deprived communities
• Widening inequalities in exposure to poor housing, insecure work and unhealthy environments
• The cumulative impacts of mental health challenges and social stress.

Together we can: our vision for 2035

These latest estimates reinforce why our new 10-year strategy is so important.

By 2035, we want Scotland to be a healthier, fairer country where life expectancy is rising, inequalities are shrinking, and everyday life makes it easier for people to live well. Delivering this vision depends on action across the whole system. Through our strategy, PHS will support and influence progress in five areas:

• Preventing illness before it starts
• Addressing the root causes of ill-health such as poverty and education
• Ensuring physical environments support health
• Making healthier choices easy and affordable
• Ensuring those who need help the most can get it without barriers.

Turning data into action

Improvement is possible. With long‑term commitment and collective action across national and local government, the NHS, the third sector and business, Scotland can shift from a system that mainly treats illness to one that actively creates the conditions for good health.

The figures published today underline why this matters. Progress in healthy life expectancy has stalled in recent years, and the gap between communities remains unacceptably wide. But these trends are not inevitable. They are a call to accelerate the work already underway and to focus efforts where they can make the greatest difference.

A long, healthy life should not be a privilege for the few. It must become a reality for everyone in Scotland.

Further information

Read National Records of Scotland's latest release on life expectation estimates.

Read our new 10-year strategy “Together we can”.