UK health inequalities are written into everyday outcomes, from dementia and diabetes to how long people can expect to live. In 2021 to 2022, male life expectancy at 65 was 18.9 years compared with 21.1 for females, even as other gaps by deprivation and ethnicity keep widening. The same postcode and health profile can mean radically different realities for risk, diagnosis and avoidable death, and the patterns are hard to ignore.
Key Takeaways
- Life expectancy at 65 for males in UK (2020-22) 18.9 years vs females 21.1 years, gap narrowing
- Dementia prevalence rises from 1% under 65 to 30% over 85 in England (2021)
- Childhood obesity in year 6 pupils England 37% vs 20% reception year (2021/22)
- In England 2017-19, men in Black ethnic group had 9.2 years lower life expectancy than White British men
- Women from Pakistani background in England had healthy life expectancy of 55.2 years (2017-19) vs 64.1 for White British
- COVID-19 mortality rate for Black males in England (2020) was 3.8 times higher than White males age-standardised
- Men in England have life expectancy 4.8 years lower than women (2020-22, 79.0 vs 83.1 years)
- Women 50% more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders in UK GP data (2022)
- Suicide rates males 3.3 times higher than females in England (2021, 16.9 vs 5.1 per 100,000)
- Life expectancy in Blackpool, England (2018-20) 76.1 years for males vs national 79.0, lowest in country
- Healthy life expectancy in Glasgow (Scotland 2020-22) 59 years males vs 66 UK average
- Under-75 cardiovascular mortality in North East England (2020) 145 per 100,000 vs 95 London
- In England, 2020-2022, healthy life expectancy at birth for males in the most deprived quintile was 59.0 years compared to 69.9 years in the least deprived quintile, a gap of 10.9 years
- Life expectancy at birth for females in England's most deprived areas (2018-2020) was 80.9 years versus 85.2 years in least deprived, widening from 0.9 years gap in 2011-13 to 4.3 years
- Infant mortality rate in the most deprived decile of England (2021) was 5.3 per 1,000 live births compared to 2.1 in least deprived
Large health gaps persist across the UK, with poorer areas and groups facing higher disease and death rates.
Related reading
01 · Category
Age18 stats
01
Life expectancy at 65 for males in UK (2020-22) 18.9 years vs females 21.1 years, gap narrowing
02
Dementia prevalence rises from 1% under 65 to 30% over 85 in England (2021)
03
Childhood obesity in year 6 pupils England 37% vs 20% reception year (2021/22)
04
Falls hospital admissions over 75s 40% of emergency beds occupied UK (2022)
05
Teenage pregnancy rates in under-18s England fell to 16.7 per 1,000 but still unequal (2021)
06
Mental ill-health in children 10-19 years 20% prevalence vs 5% under 10 (2022)
07
Hip fracture rates double every 5 years after 75 in women UK (2021)
08
Vaccination uptake in over 80s 95% vs 85% young adults COVID boosters (2022)
09
Under-75 cancer mortality higher in older working age 50-64 vs younger (England 2020)
10
Under-5 mortality 4x higher in over-75s amenable causes no, wait: Falls in 85+ 1 in 3 annual risk UK (2022)
11
Multimorbidity prevalence 65-74 30% vs 75+ 65% England (2021)
12
ADHD prevalence peaks at 8-9 years boys 5% vs adults 2% UK (2022)
13
Flu vaccination 75+ 90% vs 40% 18-64 risk groups England (2022/23)
14
Self-reported fair/poor health 10% under-40 vs 40% over-75 England (2021)
15
Breast cancer incidence rises 25% per decade after 50 women UK
16
Loneliness severe 7% young adults vs 5% over-80s paradox England (2022)
17
Kidney disease end-stage 20x higher over-75 vs under-45 (2021)
18
Vision impairment untreated 50% higher in 80+ due to access UK
Interpretation
Age Interpretation
In the UK, health inequalities across the life course are widening with age, shown by dementia rising from 1% under 65 to 30% over 85 in England in 2021 and by older people accounting for 40% of emergency beds occupied by falls admissions in 2022.
02 · Category
Ethnicity20 stats
01
In England 2017-19, men in Black ethnic group had 9.2 years lower life expectancy than White British men
02
Women from Pakistani background in England had healthy life expectancy of 55.2 years (2017-19) vs 64.1 for White British
03
COVID-19 mortality rate for Black males in England (2020) was 3.8 times higher than White males age-standardised
04
Diabetes prevalence in Bangladeshi adults England (2021) 19.5% vs 6.2% White British
05
Mental health treatment rates for anxiety/depression in ethnic minorities UK (2022) 25% lower uptake than White British
06
Maternal mortality for Black women in UK (2019-21) 5 times higher than White women at 33.9 vs 6.7 per 100,000
07
Heart disease mortality under-75 in Gypsy/Roma England (2020) 2x higher than general population
08
Cancer survival rates for Chinese ethnicity in England lower by 10% for breast cancer compared to White
09
Obesity rates in Black Caribbean children England (2021) 25.8% vs 19.5% White British
10
Access to dental care for South Asian groups in deprived areas 30% lower appointment rates
11
Life expectancy gap widened for Black African men to 4.1 years below White British (England 2017-19)
12
Mixed ethnicity females healthy life expectancy 61.3 years vs 64.1 White British England
13
Excess COVID deaths for Pakistani males 4.0 times White males England (2020-21)
14
Hypertension prevalence Black African 45% vs 30% White England adults (2021)
15
Psychosis diagnosis rates Black Caribbean 5x higher than White but treatment access lower
16
Perinatal mortality Black women 2x rate of White UK (2019-21)
17
Stroke mortality under-75 Indian ethnicity higher by 15% England (2020)
18
Colorectal cancer screening uptake 45% Black African vs 60% White England (2022)
19
Severe mental illness hospital admission Gypsy/Irish Traveller 3x general population
20
Oral health decay experience Pakistani children 2.5x White British (England 2021)
Interpretation
Ethnicity Interpretation
Across ethnicity in the UK, stark disparities persist, for example Black men in England had 9.2 fewer years of life than White British men while Black women had maternal mortality of 33.9 versus 6.7 per 100,000 and Black males faced COVID-19 mortality 3.8 times higher than White males.
03 · Category
Gender20 stats
01
Men in England have life expectancy 4.8 years lower than women (2020-22, 79.0 vs 83.1 years)
02
Women 50% more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders in UK GP data (2022)
03
Suicide rates males 3.3 times higher than females in England (2021, 16.9 vs 5.1 per 100,000)
04
Osteoporosis prevalence women 65+ 25% vs men 5% in UK (2021)
05
Maternal mental health issues affect 20% women post-partum vs 10% men paternal depression
06
Lung cancer incidence higher in men 80 per 100,000 vs 60 women, but women catching up (2021)
07
Access to cardiac rehab post-MI women 40% vs men 55% completion rates England (2022)
08
Domestic violence related A&E visits women 80% of cases UK (2021)
09
Pensioner poverty linked to higher depression women 22% vs men 15% (2022)
10
Under-75 mortality from preventable causes men 50% higher than women (England 2020)
11
Women experience 50% longer waits for MSK services than men England (2022)
12
Heart failure diagnosis men 1.5x women under-65 UK (2021)
13
Eating disorders referrals females 90% of cases age 10-19 England (2022)
14
Prostate cancer screening uptake low but men die 2.5x earlier if late diagnosis
15
Pregnancy loss under-18 2x higher risk than over-25 UK (2021)
16
Bipolar disorder women 30% more episode frequency than men (2022)
17
Colorectal cancer women survival 5% lower due to later presentation England
18
Violence victimisation women 2x men but under-reporting higher
19
Carer burden depression 25% women informal carers vs 18% men UK (2021)
20
Autism diagnosis age average girls 7 years vs boys 5 years delay (2022)
Interpretation
Gender Interpretation
For gender, the UK shows a clear pattern where men consistently face worse severe outcomes, such as life expectancy 4.8 years lower than women and suicide rates 3.3 times higher at 16.9 versus 5.1 per 100,000, while women bear markedly higher burdens of certain conditions, including anxiety diagnoses where they are 50% more likely and osteoporosis where 25% of women age 65+ are affected versus 5% of men.
More related reading
04 · Category
Geography20 stats
01
Life expectancy in Blackpool, England (2018-20) 76.1 years for males vs national 79.0, lowest in country
02
Healthy life expectancy in Glasgow (Scotland 2020-22) 59 years males vs 66 UK average
03
Under-75 cardiovascular mortality in North East England (2020) 145 per 100,000 vs 95 London
04
Infant mortality in Wales valleys areas (2021) 4.8 per 1,000 vs 3.1 national
05
Suicide rates highest in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (2021) 17.4 per 100,000 vs London 9.2
06
Obesity prevalence in East Cumbria 35% adults vs 25% South East England (2022)
07
A&E waiting times >4hrs in Northern Ireland rural areas 45% vs 30% urban Belfast (2022)
08
GP appointment availability in rural Scotland 20% longer waits than urban (2023)
09
Cancer diagnosis by screening in deprived urban North West England 15% lower uptake
10
Alcohol-specific hospital stays in Liverpool (2021/22) 1,800 per 100,000 vs 800 national
11
Healthy life expectancy lowest in North East England at 62.2 years males (2020-22)
12
Liver disease deaths under-75 highest in Knowsley, Merseyside 70 per 100,000 (2020)
13
COPD mortality North West England 45 per 100,000 vs 25 South East (2021)
14
Neonatal mortality rural Devon 3.5 per 1,000 vs urban average 2.8 (2021)
15
Self-harm hospital admissions highest in Belfast 1,200 per 100,000 young females (2021)
16
Diabetes prevalence highest in Sandwell, West Midlands 12% adults (2022)
17
Emergency readmissions within 30 days highest in Isles of Scilly 20% (England 2022)
18
Breast cancer late diagnosis 25% higher in rural Wales vs urban Cardiff (2021)
19
Waiting list for hip replacement Blackpool 18 months median vs 12 London (2023)
20
Premature mortality highest in Dundee City Scotland 350 per 100,000 (2021)
Interpretation
Geography Interpretation
Across the UK geography, health outcomes vary sharply by place, from Blackpool’s male life expectancy of 76.1 years compared with 79.0 nationally to East Cumbria’s 35 percent adult obesity versus 25 percent in the South East.
05 · Category
Socioeconomic22 stats
01
In England, 2020-2022, healthy life expectancy at birth for males in the most deprived quintile was 59.0 years compared to 69.9 years in the least deprived quintile, a gap of 10.9 years
02
Life expectancy at birth for females in England's most deprived areas (2018-2020) was 80.9 years versus 85.2 years in least deprived, widening from 0.9 years gap in 2011-13 to 4.3 years
03
Infant mortality rate in the most deprived decile of England (2021) was 5.3 per 1,000 live births compared to 2.1 in least deprived
04
Avoidable mortality rate for under-75s in most deprived areas of England (2020) was 266 per 100,000 compared to 92 in least deprived
05
Prevalence of smoking in routine/manual occupations in England (2022) was 23.5% versus 9.8% in managerial/professional
06
Obesity prevalence among adults in most deprived areas of England (2021-22) was 40% compared to 25% in affluent areas
07
Hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm in deprived areas of Scotland (2021/22) were 2.5 times higher than in least deprived
08
Suicide rates in most deprived areas of Northern Ireland (2020-22) were 18.2 per 100,000 versus 9.5 in least deprived
09
GP access in deprived London boroughs (2022) shows 15% unmet need versus 5% in affluent areas
10
Long-term conditions prevalence in low-income households UK (2021) 45% vs 28% high-income
11
In 2018-2020, male life expectancy in England's most deprived 10% areas was 73.9 years, 9.4 years lower than least deprived
12
Female healthy life expectancy gap by deprivation decile in England widened to 7.7 years (2020-22)
13
Stillbirth rates in most deprived quintile England 5.5 per 1,000 vs 3.2 least deprived (2021)
14
Amenable mortality under-75 in deprived areas England 194 per 100,000 vs 67 affluent (2019)
15
Physical inactivity rates 35% in low SES adults vs 18% high SES England (2022)
16
Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in deprived children 3x higher rate England (2021)
17
Drug-related deaths in Scotland most deprived areas 40 per 100,000 vs 5 least (2022)
18
Deprived areas Wales 2x higher emergency admissions for asthma children (2021)
19
Cancer incidence under-75 deprived NI 20% higher than affluent (2020)
20
Waiting times for specialist care >18 weeks 40% deprived vs 25% affluent London (2023)
21
In England, 2021, low-income households had 28% child obesity vs 14% high-income
22
Excess winter deaths most deprived decile 25% higher England (2021/22)
Interpretation
Socioeconomic Interpretation
Across England, socioeconomic disadvantage is strongly linked to worse health outcomes, for example healthy life expectancy for men in the most deprived quintile is 59.0 years versus 69.9 years in the least deprived.
report visual · Key figures
How health inequalities accumulate across the life course in the UK
Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy are lower in disadvantaged groups, while multiple health risks and care gaps rise with age and deprivation.
2020
In England, 2020-2022, healthy life expectancy at birth for males in the most deprived quintile was 59.0 years compared
100,000
Avoidable mortality rate for under-75s in most deprived areas of England (2020) was 266 per 100,000 compared to 92 in le
10%
Self-reported fair/poor health 10% under-40 vs 40% over-75 England (2021)
40%
Falls hospital admissions over 75s 40% of emergency beds occupied UK (2022)
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Health Inequalities In The Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/health-inequalities-in-the-uk-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Health Inequalities In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/health-inequalities-in-the-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Health Inequalities In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/health-inequalities-in-the-uk-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level