A new report has revealed that life expectancy in the UK is increasing, according to new statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
According to ONS data, boys born in 2023 are expected to live an average of 86.7 years, while girls are expected to live up to 90 years.
Experts suggest that the gap in life expectancy between men and women is also narrowing. Based on current trends, it is predicted that one in ten boys and one in six girls born in 2023 will reach the age of 100.
These official statistics are based on the latest available evidence. Projections suggest that by 2047, one in four girls and almost one in five boys born that year will live to be 100 years old.
According to the data, men born in 2047 will have an average life expectancy of 89.3 years, while women will have an average life expectancy of 92.2 years. However, these estimates may change, and not everyone will necessarily live up to the projected age.
The report further states that in 2023, the average life expectancy for 65-year-old men is expected to be 19.8 years, while for 65-year-old women, it is projected to be 22.5 years. By 2047, 65-year-old men are estimated to live an additional 21.8 years, while 60-year-old women will have a remaining life expectancy of 24.4 years.
According to Carrie Gadsden from the ONS, for the first time in decades, the life expectancy gap between men and women is shrinking. This could be due to changes in men’s lifestyles, a decline in smoking rates, improved working conditions, and advancements in heart disease prevention. By 2072, this gap is expected to reduce further to 2.5 years.
