The north-south life expectancy gap in England has widened over the past decade, with northern regions falling further behind despite record national averages. New provisional data from the King’s Fund shows that while overall life expectancy reached an all-time high in 2025—80 years for men and nearly 84 for women—the gains were overwhelmingly concentrated in southern areas.
Record Highs Mask Regional Disparities
Life expectancy in London rose by nearly a year in the decade to 2023–25, recovering strongly from the sharpest pandemic-era fall. The south-east, south-west and east of England also recorded notable gains. However, the five northern regions—north-west, north-east, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and East Midlands—experienced little or no improvement, reflecting deeper deprivation and worse health outcomes.
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According to Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the King’s Fund, “In the most deprived 30% of areas, life expectancy either fell or didn’t improve over the past decade and that’s a disturbing story. Meanwhile, it went up by half a year in the least deprived 30% of areas.”
Local-Level Inequalities Are Starker
At the local authority level, the divide is even more dramatic. Men in Blackpool, Lancashire, can expect to live 10 years less than those in Hart, Hampshire. For women, the gap is eight years. Such disparities highlight how geography and socioeconomic status directly shape health outcomes.
Key Factors Driving the Gap
The King’s Fund identifies several underlying causes:
- Chronic diseases: Higher rates of heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illness in northern regions.
- Behavioral health: Increased suicides and deaths from alcohol and drug misuse in the north.
- Socioeconomic deprivation: Lower incomes, insecure jobs, poor housing, and limited access to green space.
- Underinvestment: Levelling-up pledges and regeneration plans have not yet delivered tangible improvements.
Raleigh emphasised that “this isn’t just a question of fixing the health service. It requires a cross-government drive to address the wider determinants of health—secure jobs, fair pay, adequate housing, clean air, accessible transport and affordable essentials.”
Comparison Table: Life Expectancy Across Regions (2023–25)
| Region | Male Life Expectancy (years) | Female Life Expectancy (years) |
|---|---|---|
| London | 81.2 | 84.8 |
| South East | 80.9 | 84.5 |
| North West | 77.8 | 81.9 |
| North East | 77.5 | 81.6 |
| England average | 80.0 | 83.9 |
Data source: King’s Fund provisional figures for 2023–25.
What This Means for the Future
The widening gap threatens the government’s ambition to raise healthy life expectancy and reduce inequalities. Without coordinated action on housing, employment, and public health, the north–south divide will continue to deepen. Policymakers must prioritise investment in preventive healthcare and community infrastructure.
For older adults living in deprived areas, the consequences are especially severe. Limited access to quality healthcare and social services shortens not only lifespan but also healthy life expectancy—the years lived without disability or serious illness. Addressing these issues is critical for the aging population in the north.
FAQ
Why is life expectancy higher in southern England?
Southern regions benefit from lower deprivation, better employment rates, higher incomes, and more access to green spaces and healthcare services. These factors contribute to lower rates of chronic disease and higher life expectancy.
How much has the north-south gap grown over the past decade?
The gap has widened significantly. London’s life expectancy rose by nearly a year, while northern regions saw little or no improvement. The difference between the richest and poorest areas now exceeds 10 years for men.
What can be done to reduce the life expectancy gap?
A cross-government approach is needed—improving housing, creating secure jobs, raising wages, cleaning the air, and expanding transport links. The health service alone cannot close the gap without tackling wider social determinants.
The data paints a clear picture: record national life expectancy does not mean equal health for all. The north-south divide is growing, and reversing it will require sustained, targeted investment in the most deprived communities across England.
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