UK’s North–South life expectancy divide grows as study finds stark differences

The King's Fund reports a widening gap

Despite the sharp decrease in life expectancy due to COVID-19, much of England’s south has come back with record breaking peaks. 

While life expectancy grew by nearly a year in the London area, the south-west, south-east and east of England have also recorded a growing lifespan.

Overall, life expectancy came to an all time high in 2025. Both men and women have seen increased lifespans, at 80 years and 84 years respectively. 

However, the same cannot be said for the northern half of the country. 

As per the King’s Fund, there has been little to no growth during that same period of time within the northern half.

“In the most deprived 30% of areas, life expectancy either fell or didn’t improve over the past decade

“And that’s a disturbing story” says Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow at the King’s Fund.

Raleigh added via The Guardian: “This isn’t just a question of fixing the health service. 

“It requires a cross-government drive to also address the wider, underlying determinants of health.

"Ensuring people have secure jobs, fair pay, adequate housing, clean air, accessible transport and affordable access to healthy diets.”

Raleigh follows up with concern towards “the increasing prevalence of ill health in adults of working age”, described as deeply troubling.

£2.2 billion are being poured into cutting the gap in two, repurposing the funds into medicine and medical equipment. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “Someone’s postcode should never dictate how long they live.

“and this government is determined to tackle the stark inequalities that still exist across Britain.”