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"AVERAGE AGE OF DEATH IN UK" (2026) = 81?
Article on: Average Life Expectancy in UK
Calculate your average life expectancy in Uk. Compare online broker Life Insurance deals.
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Average Life Expectancy United Kingdom
In this guide, we will look at the "Average life expectancy in the UK" in 2026 vs the Average number of deaths - plus how those may all affect best UK Life Insurance deals >>
We review also those average life span stats for men vs women in the UK's 4 different parts - England, Scotland, Wales & N.Ireland.
Also, look at major health & lifestyle aspects for what is life expectancy in UK that may potentially shorten our lifespan.
It maybe nice 'sometimes' to have a Crystal ball to tell us our futures, but the real truth is that none of us know for certain their average age of mortality.
Unlike astrologer Nostradamus, or any Mystic Meg horoscopes, most people cannot 100% 💯 predict the future.
Looking at our past history however, and we can see how lucky we are to be able to live a longer life all within UK modern times.
See below how the average life expectancy has risen overall in the UK over the decades - from below age 30 > upto age 80+
- Medieval Times - average death below 30
- 1700's - average death below 40
- 1800's - average death below 50
- 1900's - average death below 60
- Modern Times - average death around 80+
When calculating your uk average life expectancy today, then it is not just the old biblical psalms rule of thumb - threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years.
Various Government calculation tool averages are available - but these may not currently take account many and several key factors (including any unexpected Pandemics)
All which we will examine here further eg; lifestyle and health factors like smoking & BMI, family genetics history OR importantly where you live in Britain ie; any UK average lifespan calculations - could be a case of lies, damn lies and statistics.
Plus look at our best & worst UK areas for life expectancy - then our overall life expectancy in Great Britain versus other Countries around the World - which we found some nations life span can range from as low as only age 50+ - upto as an average high age 84+
Average Life Span in the UK
What's Average 'Life Expectancy in England'?
The Life Expectancy in England has had 2 major turning point trends in the past decade for those calculating 'average life expectancy in england'.
From 2011, increases in english life expectancy slowed up after numerous decades of steady improvement, prompting then much social media debate about the likely causes.
Then in 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic was an even more significant & life changing turning point - the enormous magnitude of which people had not seen since the 2'nd World War.
The news in Great Britain at that time like many countries - was sadly full of both care homes & hospitals losing their cared for patients & family loved ones.
Average life expectancy for England recovered partially thereafter as the pandemic subsided, rising upto around age 79 for males - and around 83 for females in 2022 (although it remained below 2019 pre-pandemic levels).
However, like all averages - certain English towns, cities & counties faired better than others for both men & women.
So the highest average life span in England - is around age 85 in parts of London & the southeast with the worst average age 75 in Blackpool ie; 10 years less.
What's Average Life Expectancy in Scotland?
Scotland continues to have the lowest life expectancy of the other UK countries.
Average life expectancy at birth in Scotland was around 77 for men & age 81 for women in 2022-2024.
Scottish life expectancy was highest in East Renfrewshire, but lowest average life expectancy of Glasgow City area.
However, these scottish studies also show that life expectancy for men was around 13 years lower & women around 10 years lower (in those most deprived areas of Scotland) than in the least deprived areas.
What's Average Life Expectancy in Wales?
Life expectancy at birth in Wales was around age 82 for women & 78 for men in 2022-2024.
Welsh life expectancy was highest on average in the Monmouthshire area at 83 for women & age 80 for men.
Welsh studies show that significant inequality also exists; Welsh life expectancy in those most deprived areas was only around 73 years for men & 77 for women - according to the Office for National Statistics.
What's Average Life Expectancy in Northern Ireland?
Average Life expectancy in Northern Ireland was around age 78 for men and age 82 for women in 2022-2024.
For men, the regions of Lisburn & Castlereagh records an average Northern Irish life expectancy of around 80. At the other end of the scale, Belfast is lowest at around 76.
For northern irish women - Fermanagh, Omagh, Lisburn & Castlereagh jointly top the table at around age 83. Belfast again ranks lowest, with female life expectancy at around 80.
Which UK Areas have the Longest Life Expectancy?
These are the main UK towns where their residents may live the longest & those who may also die youngest - according to ONS average UK stats re *Daily Express article:-
Top 10 areas with the highest life expectancy at birth for women:
- Kensington & Chelsea 86.5
- Richmond upon Thames 86.3
- Winchester 86.1
- Uttlesford 86.0
- South Hams 85.9
- Hart 85.9
- South Oxfordshire 85.8
- Westminster 85.7
- Elmbridge 85.7
- Wokingham 85.6
Top 10 areas with the highest life expectancy at birth for men:
- Hart 83.4
- Uttlesford 83.0
- Wokingham 82.5
- Richmond upon Thames 82.5
- South Cambridgeshire 82.5
- Waverley 82.4
- Surrey Heath 82.3
- Mole Valley 82.2
- Elmbridge 82.2
- South Hams 82.1
Top 10 areas with the lowest life expectancy at birth for women:
- Glasgow 78.3
- East Ayrshire 78.6
- North Lanarkshire 78.7
- Blackpool 78.9
- Blaenau Gwent 79.0
- West Dunbartonshire 79.2
- Dundee City 79.2
- North Ayrshire 79.3
- Knowsley 79.5
- Inverclyde 79.6
Top 10 areas with the lowest life expectancy at birth for men:
- Blackpool 73.1
- Glasgow 73.6
- West Dunbartonshire 74.3
- Dundee City 74.6
- North Ayrshire 74.9
- North Lanarkshire 74.9
- East Ayrshire 75.2
- Manchester 75.2
- Kingston upon Hull 75.3
- Merthyr Tydfil 75.4
What are the odds of living to age 80?
Some people naturally may ask if looking at life insurance, what are the odds of living upto age 80. Well it is roughly around 3 in 4 people or 75% who are likely to live this long.
BUT like all average odds and stats - are we talking either men or women here, and also which UK locations? ie; England, Scotland, Wales or N Ireland?
- Regional Differences: Life expectancy is generally higher in parts of England (average around 79 male / 83 female) BUT lower in parts of Scotland (76 male / 80 female).
- Location Differences: However, if we truly followed the odds of living upto age 80 in say the areas of Blackpool or Glasgow - then those odds could be zero for both men & women.
- Male Life Expectancy: Ultimately where UK male life expectancy is lowest, around 1 in 4 men or 25% could die before their 65th birthday.
- Female Life Expectancy: Likewise where UK female life expectancy is lowest, around 1 in 4 women or 25% could die before their 75th birthday.
- Socio Economics: Higher incomes and job status can be often associated with higher life expectancies, especially once retired + not reliant just upon state benefits alone.
While these "one in four" claims are likely a larger reflection of much deeper localized health inequalities, rather than the average experience for all the UK population.
This average data perhaps shows a widening gap in life expectancy - based upon both regional and social deprivation levels.
Is 86 a good age to live to?
So given those UK stats - for those chosen few british life expectancy at older ages is the highest it has ever been.
Whilst life expectancy varies dependant upon where you live it seems, reaching age 86 is often seen as a "ripe old age" & if you hopefully have lived a full life.
This will all be dependant upon your gender ie; females are more likely it seems & your overall health due to improved medical care and/or living conditions.
What are the odds of living to 90 years old?
The chances of living to 90+ years of age are much higher for UK females.
The number of women reaching 90 or beyond in Great Britain has slowly increased over time due to improvements in mortality rates.
In 2023, just around 1% of the UK population was aged 90 or over, reflecting a steady increase in our longevity in Great Britain.
However, getting to the age 100 lifespan milestone - to receive any Centenarian celebrations in the UK are still low but rising.
Now roughly around 16,000 people aged 100 or over in 2024 (a big increase from around just 100 people only 100 years before).
These milestones are marked with traditional messages from the King or Queen, hopefully celebrating extraordinary long lived lives, that may have often spanned major historical events.
In conclusion - These estimates & odds are all naturally based on current UK mortality rates & so can all fluctuate over time.
UK Life Span | Best & Worst Places?
Looking at some other UK life expectancy major cities stats = these are some more of the other best & worst places to date re uk lifespan (2021-2023).
Life expectancy in Edinburgh is among the highest in Scotland, with recent statistical data indicating approximately 78 for men and 82 for women.
Re overall Scottish life expectancy, Edinburgh continues to perform well & often ranking good for healthy life expectancy among major UK cities.
Life expectancy in Birmingham is just below the English national average, with recent data indicating averages of 78 years for men & 82 years for women in the wider West Midlands area.
The North East regions including life expectancy Newcastle has a lower life span than the national average at 77 for men & 81 for women - but better than Sunderland.
Meanwhile - Life expectancy in Manchester is amongst the lowest in England, with recent data showing around 75 for men & 79 for women.
SO if you used any basic uk life expectancy calculator or instead tried to calculate uk life expectancy by year of birth - then it does not ask where you live ie; those best or worst places for UK life expectancy or a UK Life Expectancy Map as listed above.
The best UK post code areas for Human Lifespan in a Statista Survey are it seems currently for life expectancy in London area ie; Kensington, Chelsea & Richmond boroughs for women and Hart & Uttlesford for men.
However, the worst Uk areas for average uk life expectancy currently are Blackpool & low Life expectancy of Glasgow for men + East Ayrshire for women.
The North East remained the English region with the highest age-standardised mortality rate for both males & females in 2024.
This variation for Great Britain ie; Factors influencing life expectancy across UK regions in England, Scotland, Wales & N.Ireland all seems to indicate maybe wealth and lifestyle are factors, rather than perhaps inner city air pollution, to our Average Life Expectancy United Kingdom?
Number of Deaths per Year in UK?
Whilst looking at our average life expectancy in the UK - some also ask 'what is the number of deaths per year uk average'? Or 'average deaths per day in the uk'?
Well, the number of deaths annually are approximately as follows against their average UK population stats.
- In 2024, there was over 495k deaths registered in England (against a population of over 58 million)
- In 2024, there was over 62k deaths registered in Scotland (against a population of over 5.5 million)
- In 2024, there was over 35k deaths registered in Wales (against a population of over 3 million)
- In 2024, there was over 16k deaths registered in Northern Ireland (against a population of over 1.9 million)
- Total UK average deaths registered = over 608k die annually (against a population of over 68 million = @1%)
- Over 230k related to the Pandemic years
This UK death rate all works out to around over 50k who die monthly = 1,600 to 1,700 per day of the uk population deaths on average.
Road deaths in the UK average around 1,600 to 1,700 per year or 5 per day on average.
UK Life Expectancy Male and Female
What is the average life expectancy uk male vs female? Which gender lives statistically longest in the United Kingdom or indeed England, Scotland, Wales & N.Ireland?
*Average Life Expectancy UK Men
In 2019, prior to the pandemic in UK & England life expectancy had increased on average upto 79.9 years for UK males.
However, the 2020's pandemic caused average UK life expectancy 2022 to fall by around 1 year for both males and females, against the levels of a decade ago.
*Average Life Expectancy UK Women
For women, the pandemic meant this figure dropped to around 83.6 years for uk females.
So in other words, these stats show on average women here in UK live nearly 3/4 years longer. But as we've seen - different regions affect these average uk lifespan stats.
Likewise, 2020's pandemic then caused average female uk life expectancy from 2022 to fall by around 1 year for women, against those levels of a decade ago.
Currently, the various provisional Government data suggests there will be little change in 2026 for ONS data on 'life expectancy in England'.
However, remember as finance guru Martin Lewis on life insurance says, who sadly lost his mother in an accident when he was only a teenager, that nobody may live an average life span ie; genetics & lifestyle circumstances etc; may also come into play.
What shortens our life expectancy the most?
What shortens our UK Life Span the most? Well, here are some major factors - plus a few others according to a Legal & General study on decreased UK Life Expectancy (ie; some obvious & some others maybe less so)...
- Mental Illness: Severe mental illnesses = reduces life expectancy by 10-20 years; comparable to or worse than heavy smoking.
- Smoking: Major significant preventable cause = cuts years off life - linked to heart diseases, cancers & lung issues.
- Lack of Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle = major contributor to significantly increasing mortality risks.
- Poor Diet: Contributory factors = heart disease, strokes & cancer risks.
- Obesity: Overweight body stress = reduces life expectancy by several years.
- Excessive Alcohol: Binge Drinking = linked to shortening lifespan re liver damage, cancer, depression & accidents.
- Drug Usage: Mind & Body = negative impact on your lifespan.
- Poor Sleep: Inadequate sleep = Too much or too little raises risks for chronic health problems and a premature death.
- Social Isolation: Reduced positive social interactions = increases risks of an earlier death.
- Stress Anxiety & Anger: May harm & affect = your heart, metabolism, cortisol & immune systems.
- Others: Not flossing your teeth, Not reading books, Long commutes, Being pessimistic, Worrying too much.
Calculate the 'Average Life Expectancy in the UK'
Use this simple free ONS UK life expectancy calculator* below to work out either the average age of death UK > Average life expectancy of Males in Uk or Average life expectancy Female Uk. Noting it doesn't factor in where you live, smoker or lifestyle status
'UK Life Expectancy Calculator' (2026)*
*ons.gov.uk | data not stored
Factors of Life Expectancy | UK Average Age of Death
History as we know often repeats itself. As such, the same stands true for our own family medical history - which UK Life Insurers are importantly interested in.
Indeed, many people are likely to encounter those same illness as their parents & siblings - because they have similar genetic makeups, ignoring environment & lifestyles.
Insurers will ask if there are close related individuals eg; parents & immediate siblings with say....
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- MS
- Diabetes
- Huntingdon's
- Cardiomyopathy
- Leukaemia
- Stroke
- Motor neurone
- Alzheimers
- Muscular dystrophy
- Polycystic Kidney
- Familial hypercholesterol
- Anything else hereditary
- PLUS the type and their age at diagnosis
For example, if both your parents died of heart attacks before age 60 for example - then your genes and family history may indicate a similar pattern could sadly happen.
Insurers will factor all this into their calculations (rather than anyone just randomly saying I'm OK or I just never visit the GP).
Underwriting life insurance is subtly different for factors of life expectancy, than just calculating your longevity. Perhaps due to historic EU rules & modern GDPR legalities, meaning certain questions can't now be asked?
If you use the above 'uk life expectancy calculator', naturally it only works out averages. As there are lots of other factors that go into these calculations, rather than requesting the most accurate life expectancy calculator.
- Smoker & Alcohol status
- BMI, Fitness & Diet, Pastimes
- Gender ( male / female ) no longer affects insurance prices - but is a factor of average life expectancy of uk male or female
- Life Status ie; Marital, Education, Stress & Happiness levels, Housing, Race, Family & Personal Medical health, Traumatic life events, Spirituality, Environment and Social groups
- Human Genetics means average lifespan is around age 80
- Retirement - projected financial comfort
- BUT if in Prison - average age of death is sadly 25 years less
Note: life expectancy average figures will naturally vary from country to country around the world. Check out these stats from around the world to see how countries life expectancy variations of over 30 years !
Country Life Expectancy
Top 10 Countries
These figures will continually vary post Pandemic 2020's, but here is the current World League Table snapshot averaged by Country Life Expectancy age at death.
TOP 10 & Bottom 10 League Table | by Country Life Expectancy average.
- Japan - age 84+
- Switzerland
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Cyprus
- Spain
- Australia
- Italy
- Israel
- Norway - age 82+
Life Expectancy for United Kingdom | UK average age of death 81 | Currently Ranked No: 25* 2020 's
Bottom 10 Countries
- Lesotho - age 50+
- Central African Republic
- Somalia
- Eswatini
- Mozambique
- Kiribati
- Chad
- Guinea Bassau
- Zimbabwe
- Sierre Leone - age 60+
What Country has Longest Life Expectancy?
So when reviewing what country has longest life expectancy, the current Top 3 of 4 Countries are all from Asia ie; Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Switzerland was the lowest in Europe.
Japan is the top dog, in this international comparison of mortality statistics & among other G7 countries. Japan has the longest average life expectancy at 84. Studies say this is primarily is due to remarkably low mortality rates from ischemic heart disease and cancer (particularly breast and prostate).
These low mortality rates are also thought to reflect the lower prevalence of obesity in Japan and their diet ie; lower intake of red meat & saturated fats. Also high intakes of fish, polyunsaturated fats, plant foods & green tea. In other words - You are what you Eat.
For pandemic Covid 19 death rates, both Japan and Singapore had remarkably low fatalities (which scientists debate maybe genetic) compared to the UK. We will look at Covid 19 Pandemic in the next subject.
Most of the bottom countries are sadly in Africa. Does this mean that a lack of clean fresh water supply or a hot climate, are the main contributing factors ?
This does not appear to be totally the case, but is probably contributory. Lesotho's high death rate research appears mainly linked to non-communicable diseases ie; smoking, alcohol, obesity leading to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
This free USA life expectancy calculator tool above, is an interesting alternative to the more simplistic ONS UK average age of death? It asks more lifestyle questions. (USA ranked 40th average age 78).
Health Life Expectancy UK
TOP Causes of Death in UK?
What are the Top 5 causes of death in the UK or more? In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 was naturally the main leading natural cause of UK deaths re Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.
By 2024, with around 600k annual total deaths registered across the various parts of England, Scotland, Wales & NI yearly - those typical pre-pandemic pattern of illness-driven mortality returned.
- Dementia & Alzheimer's: The overall leading cause of death (Top Cause for women)
- Ischaemic Heart Disease: 2'nd main death cause overall (Main Cause for men)
- Respiratory Disease: Chronic lower respiratory diseases (eg; COPD)
- Cerebrovascular Disease: Strokes + related diseases
- Cancers: Lung, Bowel & Prostate cancers being the most common
- Influenza & Pneumonia: Fatal for the elderly
Overall Causes:
Cardiovascular diseases, Cancers & Respiratory Diseases generally account for a largest percentage (around 2/3 rds) of UK deaths.
Re the number 1 UK killer Dementia (Roughly one person in the UK develops dementia every 3 minutes & more than 1-in-10 deaths in the UK were due to dementia).
On that point alone - note that your relatives can't just walk into your bank & access your money to assist - even if it is to just help pay for your illness and care.
As Martin Lewis points out - unless you've a Power of Attorney, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be long and costly.
Likewise - when you die IF you've have not made a valid will & even if it's free to do so - then this may also cause both expensive and timely complications.
Gender Differences: Heart disease is often highest for UK males, whilst Dementia and Alzheimer's is higher for UK females.
Age-Related Causes of Death UK
- Under 35:- Accidents & Suicide (most common)
- 50–79:- Heart disease & cancers (primary cause)
- 80+:- Dementia & Alzheimer’s disease (leading cause)
Age Differences: Heart Diseases + Cancers are the major causes for those under 75, whilst Dementia is a leading cause for the oldest.
Health Risks | BMI and Life Expectancy Obese
Our waist lines in the UK are slowly expanding 
like many other countries - with life span changing affects.
Excess weight shortens human lifespan, by placing pressure on our organs. In countries like Britain and America, weighing a third more than the optimum, obesity maybe shortens lifespan by about 3 years.
Severe obesity, which is still uncommon in the UK but more common in the USA, can shorten a person’s life by upto 10 years. Their research found this 10 year loss, is equal to the effects of lifelong smoking.
As such, many people have recently changed their lifestyle & started taking weight loss jobs like ozempic, mounjaro or wegovy - to help avoid those future uk average lifespan issues.
If a person has a BMI of 30 to 35, then they are classed moderately obese. If they have a BMI of 40 to 50, they are severely obese. Check our BMI KG calculator.
Though not perfect, BMI is a useful tool for assessing the extent to which fatty tissues may cause ill health ie; obesity risks leading to cancer, heart disease and diabetic problems.
* For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help 
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Diabetes
Along with expanding waistlines, also comes a potential for diabetes. After a diabetic diagnosis, many type 2 and type 1 diabetics worry about their life expectancy. Maintaining good blood glucose control is a good way to prolonging average life expectancy.
Diabetes causes raised blood pressure & cholesterol, kidney & heart disease and diabetic retinopathy.
Life Expectancy for Diabetes Type 2
Type 2 diabetes may generally develops more slowly than type 1 diabetes.
Studies indicate the life expectancy of diabetes type 2 when diagnosed compared with a healthy person the same age, are as follows.
- at age 20 you may lose 10 years of life expectancy
- at 45 years of age you may lose roughly 6 years of life
Whereas if you develop age related type 2 diabetes later into life, say into your 80's, studies say you may not really lose major average life expectancy ie; no need for any 'type 2 diabetes life expectancy calculator'.
Life Expectancy with Diabetes Type 1
Unlike type 2 diabetes, the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. People with type 1 diabetes have a life expectancy quoted as being reduced by over 20 years.
However, medical improvements in diabetes care in recent decades indicates that people with type 1 diabetes are potentially now living significantly longer.
A report noted that people with type 1 diabetes born after 1965 had a life expectancy uk average age of death @ 69 years old.
* For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Smoking?
Over 100,000 people in the UK on average die each year due to smoking. These stats are factored into the Average Life Expectancy in the UK
If you are a long-term smoker, on average, your average smoker life expectancy is about 10 years less than a non-smoker. This means maybe only about half of long-term smokers may live past 70. The younger you are when you start smoking, the more likely you are to smoke for longer and to sadly die early from smoking.
Smoking-related deaths are mainly due to cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease.
About half of all smokers die from smoking-related diseases.
* For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Cancer
Cancer is a harder subject to form life expectancy averages on, due to many different types of cancers.
However, according to the Cancer Research UK, Cancer survival rates are improving and has doubled in the last 40 years in the UK. We will look here at just 2 Cancers - Breast Cancer & Liver cancer
- 50% of people diagnosed with cancer in UK may potentially survive their disease for 10 years or more
- Cancer survival rates are higher in women than men
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that starts within the breast tissue. There are many types of breast cancer from invasive, lobular, inflamatory, ductal, angiosarcomas, triple negative or pagets are just some.
So the treatments you need will depend on the type you have, as well as your overall general health. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy.
- Stage 1: the cancer is small and only in the breast tissue, or it might be found in lymph nodes close to the breast
- Most women (around 98%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis
- Stage 2: the cancer is either in the breast or in the nearby lymph nodes or both. It is an early stage breast cancer
- Around 90% will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis
- Stage 3: the cancer has spread from the breast to lymph nodes close to the breast or to the skin of the breast or to the chest wall
- More than 70% will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis
- Stage 4: the cancer has spread to other parts of the body
- Around 25% will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed, but is not curable just treatable for some years
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Liver Cancer
Your survival rate if diagnosed with primary liver cancer depends on how advanced it is at diagnosis. It also depends on many other factors, such as your individual condition, type of liver cancer, treatment and level of fitness. Because of this, no one can tell you exactly how long you’ll live.
But here are some averages from Cancer Research UK.
- Stage 0 | Without treatment, the median survival is more than 3 years
- With treatment, between 70 – 90% will survive for 5 years or more
- Stage A | Without treatment, the median survival is 3 years
- With treatment, between 50 – 70% will survive for 5 years or more
- Stage B | Without treatment, the median survival is 16 months
- With treatment, the median survival is 20 months
- Stage C | Without treatment, the median survival is 4/8 months
- With treatment, the median survival is 6/11 months
- Stage D | No real treatments work longer term sadly so the median survival is less than 4 months
* For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help
Health Risks | Life Expectancy Alcohol
This study found those regularly drinking excess alcohol every week, were at an increased risk of early death.
- If you drink between 100-200g per week regularly (equivalent of 5 > 10 pints of beer or glasses of wine) life expectancy at age of 40 falls by approximately 6 months.
- If you drink between 200-350g per week regularly (equivalent of 10 > 18 pints of beer or glasses of wine) life expectancy at age of 40 falls by 1-2 years.
- If you drink more than 350g per week regularly (equivalent of 18+ pints of beer or glasses of wine) life expectancy at age of 40 falls by 4-5 years.
* For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help
The international study, published in the Lancet journal, found out drinking more alcohol also gave a greater risk of suffering a stroke, heart failure, and fatal aneurysm.
'If you think you may have an alcohol problem - contact NHS via link for more guidance & information'
Covid 19 Pandemic on 'United Kingdom Life Expectancy'
The number of Uk Covid related deaths recorded into the mid 2020's was over 230k. Pandemic registered deaths for those people aged 44 or younger, make up a very small percentage of the total re 'life expectancy united kingdom' stats.
- 2% of registered Covid 19 deaths were under age 44
- under 30% were aged between 45 & late 70's
- 70% of registered deaths have been among those aged 75 or older
The mean uk average age of death, recorded so far due to Pandemic Covid 19 - is age 78 for males & 82 for females. This 'united kingdom life expectancy' story here continues in the 2020's...
UK Life Insurers & The Pandemic
These last few years has been a mixed bag for many leading UK Life & Pensions Insurers.
Top Providers like say Aviva or Legal & General re Covid 19 - were both hit hard on 'Average Life Expectancy in United Kingdom' macrotrends.
Note into 2020's so far: Various UK Life Insurers have paid out well over £200 million in relation to Covid 19 alone re deaths.
This figure could rise also due to ongoing & unknown impacts, where people's important medical health operations were delayed for months, due to noted NHS pressures and strikes etc;.
Alternatively, Britains' State Pension bill was cut by 1.5 billion, as the Government did not have to payout ongoing payments
Likewise, the Uk Pension Providers bill for retirement income annuity payments also dropped substantially, as the average age of death Uk correspondingly dropped.
In terms of taking out new life insurance cover, all UK insurers are fortunately still stating its business as usual.
If diagnosed with Covid, once isolated and fully recovered; * For advice on Life Insurance with these conditions - Please contact us for Broker Help
Best Life Insurance UK & Life Expectancy?
What Insurance Providers offer Life Insurance plans based on UK life expectancy?
When you apply for comprehensive life insurance, ALL UK Life Insurers naturally look at calculated mortality death risk rates re 'united kingdom life expectancy'. That is their business to then work out those average costs of life insurance.
Most Life Insurance Companies in the UK don't just only ask 'how old are you?' on their medical application forms & when underwriting.
Uk Life Insurers need to understand their life insurance risks. The different types of Life Insurance plans, like no medical Over 50's lifecover, are commented on below.
Life Expectancy & Life Insurance UK
Many other factors & risks come into play when looking at the average uk death rates & life insurance.
- Gender ( male / female ) no longer affects insurance prices
- Smoker & Alcohol status
- Family & Personal Medical health past and present
- BMI & Fitness
- Risky Pastimes
- Life Status ie; Marital
- Financial ie; Salary and Mortgage Loan
How much 'Life Insurance' do you need?
As Life Insurance Brokers in an ideal world - we may suggest this simple formula;
- LUMP SUM > Repay any mortgage & debts, cover funeral costs
- INCOME > Help cover your monthly bills
- LUMP SUM > Back up for holidays, education, emergencies
Martin Lewis on Life Insurance his basic "Life Insurance for the Family" formula suggests covering around 10 x annual salary of the main breadwinner, after repayment of any debts, loans, mortgages etc;
Note; You maybe far more likely to make a claim upon a Critical illness insurance, Income Protection or Total & Permanent Disability insurance in your lifetime risks - than life insurance cover alone re average uk life expectancy.
How Types of Life Insurance affect costs?
So, we have established that the average life expectancy in the United Kingdom re age of death is around 80. In that case, what impact do different types of life insurance have on their costs ?
*Whole of Life Insurance
Whole of life insurance guarantees 'it will pay out' a lump sum, whenever you die or are diagnosed terminally ill. It has no set or fixed time frame, unlike term life insurance - so it will payout.
This means it is the most expensive policy available, as it will always payout, with Insurers pricing reflecting in this.
It will ask medical questions so is fully underwritten insurance & may also require GP reports and tests before the Life Insurance is available and going onto cover.
BUT it can often be double the price or more of long period term insurance (eg; upto age 90), as it will always payout. You are covered even if you live to 150 years old !
Consider any lifecover plan is also setup into a suitable trust, should help to avoid probate, or potential Inheritance tax issues.
*Over 50's Life Cover
Like the above plan, it is also a whole of lifecover style policy.
However, crucially unlike this underwritten plan it asks no medical questions, maybe apart from smoker status. In so doing, most Insurers will not cover you for the first initial 1 or 2 years period to reduce their underwriting risks.
It usually offers much lower levels of lifecover ie; perhaps a sum towards funeral costs, but maybe OK if you do have serious health lifestyle issues rather than checking average Life Expectancy For United Kingdom.
This could be the most expensive policy in terms of value for money however - as we all live longer (so pay insurers premiums for longer).
Martin Lewis is particularly critical of these Over 50's schemes (unless you have adverse heath problems) or indeed over 60's lifecover plans - as some people think these plans are the only way to go for life insurance, if you're that age.
*Term Insurance Upto age 90
When you are looking into taking out either whole lifecover or over 50's option above, you maybe just thinking about providing a lump sums to just pay toward a small legacy or funeral costs ? So this must payout ‘whenever you die’ and therefore as mentioned, Insurers charge accordingly for this unknown time frame.
However, for others they already have savings specifically set aside or a prepaid funeral plan. Instead, they just want to now provide their dependants with a family income backup plan for each other and well into retirement.
Some UK Insurers could maybe provide an alternative value proposition for the over 50’s, or over 60's. Those who would just like lifecover to last well into their retirement, to help protect their ongoing lifestyle and bills.
As brokers, we are often requested for alternatives perhaps from people checking the average life expectancy in the Uk ie; average uk male life expectancy or life expectancy women Uk is around age 80?
A Term life insurance upto age 85 or 90 sometimes could be as much as 1/2 the cost of a whole life insurance or Over 50’s lifecover comparison.
The reason being that ‘it may not payout’ – as you could outlive the known plan time frame. eg; You live to age 99.
As brokers - most Insurers offer life insurance terms upto to age 90; others may stop at age 85 or sooner if buying direct without broker advice.
Term Insurance cover asks medical questions, so best applies as long as you potentially have a generally fit and healthy life expectancy.
If you feel that a term life policy backup plan realistically is not needed after these ages, rather than just calculate any life expectancy average, then this could be a different protection insurance alternative?
Life Insurance with Pension in Retirement?
The average life expectancy in the uk also relates to when planning for a comfortable retirement. What we do know is that 'if you do want to perhaps live much longer, then the last thing that you want, is to run out of money in retirement'.
If the average age of death in the Uk is around 80 and currently state retirement ages are 67/68. Then on that basis, you would need at least 13 years back up funds. If you lived to age 90, then 23 years savings.
However, lies damn lies and statistics again, so don't rely solely on these single average life expectancy figures. Let's dig abit deeper into these human gender statistics re the UK.
The reason being, if you are married, women on average live longer than men in the Uk by 4 years ie; age 79 for men & around age 83 for women. These stats however have been devastated by the pandemic 2020's so far as you can see, and have probably watched daily on TV.
That means perhaps for around 4 years (or alot longer), your wife could find things much harder financially. You cannot rely solely on Uk state pensions perhaps to financially enjoy those final years ?
It therefore makes sense for some people to consider life insurance well into their retirements, as a 'back up pension fund' for their partners ie; life insurance with pension if considering average 'life expectancy united kingdom'.
Which Animal lives the longest?
This is an interesting question, as this article is all about human life span & average life expectancy in the Uk.
The animal kingdom it seems boasts some incredibly long lifespans, ones that far exceed the average human's lifespan on earth.
While us humans maybe have an "absolute limit" of 150 years, this is just a blink of an eye compared with the centuries & millennia that many animals & fish live through.
Some living organisms incredibly it seems can even stop or reverse their aging process altogether! No doubt scientists have been studying that one. Nature is incredible.
Top 10 longest living animals on earth
- Bowhead Whale 200 years+
- Rough eye Rockfish 200 years+
- Greenland shark 270+ years
- Freshwater pearl mussels 280+ years
- Tubeworm 300+ years old
- Ocean quahog clams 500+ years
- Black Coral 4,000+ years
- Glass Sponge 10,000+ years
- Immortal Jellyfish ?
- Or Immortal Hydra ?
Here are some Family Pets | Average life expectancy
- Lifespan of Cat upto 18 years
- Lifespan of Dog upto 13 years
- Lifespan Jack Russell upto 16 years
- Life span of Parrot (cockatoo) upto 65 years
- Lifespan Hamster upto 3 years
- Lifespan Goldfish upto 10 years
- Lifespan Horse upto 33 years
- Lifespan Koi fish upto 35 years
- Lifespan Turtle upto 50 years
Oldest living things on earth
Mayflies just live one day. Some sea animals live for 3 centuries. What could be the oldest living organism on the planet ?
- Sacred fig tree in Sri Lanka that is over 2,200 years old
- Patagonian cypress tree in Chile which, at over 3,600 years old, is as old as Stonehenge
- Great Basin bristlecone pine in California's White Mountains "Methuselah" comes in at 4,850+ years old
- Is nearly 5,000-year-old "Methuselah" one of the oldest single living thing on planet earth ?
- A quaking aspen clonal tree called "Pando" estimated age ranges from a few thousand to 80,000 years old
- Scientists try to get around this problem by equating size to age although it's an inaccurate process
UK Average Life Expectancy Conclusion
So we can see that our 'life expectancy in uk' or 'life expectancy in england' averages compared to other world countries & some earth inhabitants.
We don't live very long, compared to perhaps some other things on earth, which like trees look down us. The reality is, our human lifespan is relatively small on our small planet...so as they say
WE HAVE ONE LIFE. LIVE IT!
calculate average life expectancy in the uk
By all means using any 'uk life expectancy calculator' maybe easy but sorting out your ideal life insurance cover may however seem a more difficult task, so don’t do it alone.
It’s a good idea to get professional advice from an expert – As such, we are here to help.
Article on 'Average Life Expectancy In United Kingdom' by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser 2026
For reassurance re health for men & women - we review many of the best brands selling Life Insurance in United Kingdom (inc NI)
'There is...ONLY 1 YOU' 
