New ONS data shows decline in healthy life expectancy across the UK
Author: RSPH 19 February 2026 1 min read
The data should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to address the drivers of ill health.
The latest data published today by the Office for National Statistics shows that healthy life expectancy is down by seven months at a national level, the lowest level since 2013.
Healthy life expectancy refers to the average number of years a person born today would expect to live in good health.
A man born in the UK today can expect to spend 18 years of their life in poor health, and a woman can expect to spend 22.5 in poor health.
RSPH is calling for the Government to invest in public health and preventative measures to close the gap in inequalities and strengthen the building blocks of health.
This startling new data shows that we are heading in the wrong direction when it comes to building a healthy future.
Matthew Bazeley-Bell, Deputy Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health
Healthy life expectancy is falling, and too many people are spending more years in poor health.
This should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to address the drivers of ill health, not just the consequences.
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government has rightly committed to delivering neighbourhood health services in the most deprived areas, where healthy life expectancy is lowest. But for a genuine shift to prevention, the approach must extend beyond clinical settings into the places where health is shaped every day.
Until everyone has access to decent housing, a good working environment, healthy food and safe spaces to be active, we cannot expect healthy life expectancy to improve – or the inequalities gap between communities to close.
