Life expectancy at birth - estimates (c23)

• Adjusted icon size for phone viewThis measure represents the average number of years that a person - from being a newborn baby - is expected to live if they experience the area’s age‑specific mortality rates for the given time period. It reflects mortality among people living in the area, rather than those born there.

Why this matters

• Tracking this information enables an assessment of whether life expectancy outcomes for residents have improved over the lifetime of delivering The Plan for North Lanarkshire.
• Investment in a wide range of early intervention and prevention activities, alongside the creation of healthy environments and the provision of personalised supports, helps influence the social, environmental, and behavioural factors that shape long‑term health outcomes for residents.
• Longer, healthier lives enable people to participate in education, work, and community life for longer, boosting productivity and economic contribution across the life span. When life expectancy is high and equitably distributed, it signals access to quality healthcare, decent living conditions, and social wellbeing.

Latest performance

Males at birth

Females at birth

Latest life expectancy estimates in North Lanarkshire show from a newborn age males are expected to life to an average of 75.2 years and females an average of 78.9 years

For males at birth - this is an increase in life expectancy to 75.2 years following lower figures from 2018-20 to 2020-22 (which was at the time of the pandemic).

• The latest figures show that life expectancy for males at birth is now closer to the baseline position of 75.3 years when The Plan for North Lanarkshire was established.
• Figures for Scotland overall show a similar increasing trend recently and life expectancy is now an average of 77.2 nationally for males at birth. 

For females at birth - this is an increase in life expectancy to 78.9 years following slightly lower figures from 2018-20 to 2020-22 (which was at the time of the pandemic).

• The latest figures show that life expectancy for females at birth has now almost returned to the baseline position of 79.4 years when The Plan for North Lanarkshire was established.
• Figures for Scotland overall show a similar increasing trend recently and life expectancy is now an average of 81.1 nationally for females at birth. 

The trend in life expectancy in North Lanarkshire is mirrored in the comparison with the average life expectancy in the group of similar councils.  Although the latest position for North Lanarkshire is slightly lower than this average by a few months.

It should be noted that the calculations for life expectancy includes death registrations which would have been impacted by the pandemic. It is expected that the latest figures for 2022-24 are currently still being impacted in this respect, however national context reports state that it is possible life expectancy will return to an improving trend in the future.

Impact of delivering The Plan for North Lanarkshire

Life expectancy can be positively influenced by a wide range of factors, including: 

• Health behaviours - diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol and drug use, and obesity all influence overall mortality risk.
• Health care - access to quality primary and acute care, early diagnosis, emergency response, and effective treatment reduce premature death.
• Biological and genetic factors - inherited diseases, family history, and gender differences affect mortality rates.
• Social conditions - income, employment security, education, housing, and exposure to harm affect the risk of early death.
• Local environment - air quality, pollution, and workplace safety risk of chronic illness or death.

Mental health and wellbeing - access to support services, risk of suicide, stress, and long‑term conditions impact mortality.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

What this means

• This measure represents the average number of years that a person - from being a newborn baby - is expected to live in a state of self-assessed good or very good health, based on the current mortality rates of the area and prevalence of good or very good health.
• These figures are estimates of healthy life expectancy which are based on how people rate their own health in the UK wide Annual Population Survey (APS).

Why this matters

• Tracking this information adds a quality-of-life dimension to estimates of life expectancy. Considering healthy life expectancy alongside life expectancy brings in aspects around health and care and the importance of active and healthy lifestyles.
• Acting early reduces the accumulation of risk factors, prevents avoidable illness, delays the onset of long‑term conditions, and enables people to live independently for longer. Creating healthy environments makes healthier choices easier for everyone, while personalised support helps those with complex needs maintain independence and wellbeing.  Together, these approaches improve quality of life, reduce avoidable and limiting illnesses and premature death, and contribute to life expectancy - meaning more of North Lanarkshire’s residents remain healthy for longer.

Latest performance

Males at birth

Females at birth

Latest healthy life expectancy estimates in North Lanarkshire show from a newborn age males are expected to life in a state of self-assessed good or very good health to an average of 53.2 years and females an average of 52.5 years.

For males at birth - this is a decrease in healthy life expectancy to 53.2 years that has followed the same trend in recent years. 

• Figures for Scotland overall show a similar decreasing trend albeit to a lesser extent, with healthy life expectancy showing an average of 59.6 for males across Scotland. 

For females at birth - this is a decrease in healthy life expectancy to 52.5 years that has followed the same trend in recent years albeit with a slightly greater dip in the recent figures compared to males. 

• Figures for Scotland overall show a similar decreasing trend albeit to a lesser extent, with healthy life expectancy showing an average of 60.0 for females across Scotland. 

The trend in healthy life expectancy in North Lanarkshire is mirrored in the comparison with the average life expectancy in the group of similar councils.  Although the latest position for North Lanarkshire is lower than this average for both males and females.

Impact of delivering The Plan for North Lanarkshire

Healthy life expectancy can be positively influenced by a wide range of factors, including: 

• Health behaviours - balanced diet, regular activity, reduced smoking/alcohol/drug use, and effective weight management help maintain good health for longer.
• Health care - preventive and primary care services, routine screening, and timely treatment help avoid illness, disability, or long‑term conditions.
• Biological and genetic factors - genetics influence susceptibility to long‑term conditions and overall health status over the life course.
• Social conditions - secure income, quality employment, regular education, safe housing, strong social networks, and reduced exposure to trauma support long‑term good health.
• Local environment - clean air, access to green space, and environments that promote active living support prolonged good health.
• Mental health and wellbeing - positive mental health, low stress, social connections, and access to supports help maintain quality of life and functional ability across the life course.