Why the life expectancy gender gap is narrowing

Average life expectancy in some parts of England will exceed 90 in just over a decade's time, with the gap between men and women continuing to narrow, new research suggests.

Scientists at Imperial College in London predict that that by 2030, men will live for an average of 85.7 years, just two years less than women. This is attributed to a drop in deaths among young men from road accidents and homicides, as well as an increase in female smokers. In 1981, the difference between sexes was six years.

However, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, as the figures reveal stark regional variations. Research suggests life expectancy for men is lowest in Blackpool and for women in Gwent, while men and women living in the City of London are predicted to live the longest.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"We forecast rising inequalities, with bigger increases in lifespan for people in affluent areas than those in disadvantaged areas," lead researcher Professor Majid Ezzati told The Guardian.

He said austerity was to blame and warned that greater investment in health and social care will be needed to cope with the ageing population.

"Most of us would like to live an active and healthy fulfilling long life," Dave Leighton, from the charity Age UK told Sky News. "The challenge for society is how do we make sure people do have a decent quality of life as they get older."

The research conducted by epidemiologists at Imperial College puts the life expectancy for men more than two years higher than official numbers produced by the Office for National Statistics.

Commenting on the recent study, Brian Beach from the International Longevity Centre think tank said: "The methods used look very solid and innovative. It has been known for some time that life expectancy can be influenced by social factors and where people live."

Who in Britain is expected to live the longest?

Highest life expectancy for women in 2030

1. City of London (London): 92.6 years

2. Kensington and Chelsea (London): 91.2

3. East Dorset (South West): 91.0

Lowest life expectancy for women in 2030

1. Blaenau Gwent (Wales): 84.5 years

=2. Middlesbrough UA (North East): 84.7

=2. Manchester (North West): 84.7

Highest life expectancy for men in 2030

1. City of London (London): 90.7 years

2. Kensington and Chelsea (London): 89.8

3. Hart (South East): 89.4

Lowest life expectancy for men in 2030

1. Blackpool UA (North West): 81.4 years

2. Manchester (North West): 81.9

3. Kingston upon Hull, City (Yorkshire and the Humber): 82.5