Data shows that men and women in the UK can expect a longer life expectancy

Boys born in the UK in 2023 are expected to live an average of 86.7 years, while girls are projected to live to 90, according to the latest data. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that life expectancy for both men and women continues to rise. Experts attribute the narrowing survival gap between the sexes partly to men adopting healthier lifestyles.

Projections indicate that over one in 10 boys and one in six girls born in 2023 will live to at least 100 years old. The ONS report, based on the most current survival data for 2023, also forecasts future life expectancies. For instance, one in four baby girls and nearly one in five baby boys born in 2047 may expect to reach 100.

The report suggests that men born in 2047 could have a life expectancy of 89.3 years, while women could live to 92.2 years. These estimates could change over time, as they are based on population averages rather than predicting individual lifespans.

For men aged 65 in 2023, the average life expectancy is an additional 19.8 years, while women at age 65 can expect 22.5 more years. By 2047, this could increase to 21.8 years for men and 24.4 years for women aged 65.

Kerry Gadsdon from the ONS explained that the life expectancy gap between men and women has been narrowing for decades. This trend is likely due to factors such as reduced smoking rates, improved working conditions for men, and advances in healthcare, particularly in heart disease prevention and treatment. The gap is projected to shrink to just 2.5 years by 2072.