Scots men living 8 years longer while women expect 5.9 more years
Latest life expectancy statistics published by National Records of Scotland show a steady improvement over the past three decades, increasing by eight years for males and 5.9 years for females.
The gap between male and female life expectancy has also decreased. Most recently (2014-16), a baby girl born in Scotland could expect to live for 81.2 years and a baby boy could expect to live until he was 77.1 years.
Female life expectancy has remained higher than male life expectancy throughout the last 35 years.
However, the gap between them has decreased from 6.2 years for people born in 19801982 to 4.1 years for people born in 2014-2016.
The 2014-based population projections for Scotland project that life expectancy will continue to increase, reaching 82.3 years for males and 85.0 years for females by 2039.
Tim Ellis, the Registrar General of Scotland, said: “Whilst it is good news that people in Scotland are living longer, recent trends show the increase in life expectancy has been slowing in Scotland as well as the rest of the UK.” Between 2013-2015 and 20142016 life expectancy remained virtually unchanged. Life expectancy at birth increased by 0.01 years for females and decreased by 0.02 years for males.
Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “Over the long term, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in Scotland have increased – but we know we need to do more to tackle health inequalities, which are a symptom of wider social inequalities.
“We’re taking action to address the underlying causes – ending poverty, fair wages, supporting families and improving the environments we live in. Scottish Government measures such as driving investment in affordable housing, increasing free school meals and continuing commitments like free prescriptions, concessionary travel and free personal care, are the right approach to take.
“This is coupled with decisive action to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living, healthy eating, and investment to improve mental health services.”
Figures also estimated that in 2016 there were 910 centenarians living in Scotland, an increase of 57 per cent from the previous estimate of 580 in 2006. The male centenarianpopulationmorethandoubled (from 50 in 2006 to 120 in 2016), while the female population increased by 49 per cent (from 530 in 2006 to 790 in 2016). There are more women who live for over 100 years than men, reflecting the longer life expectancy of females.