The statistics showed life expectancy at birth was 78.6 years for men and 82.6 years for males across the 2020 to 2022.
This represents a sharp fall when compared with the period 2017 to 2019 – with life expectancy falling by 38 weeks from 79.3 years for males and by 23 weeks from 83.0 years for females.
The ONS said life expectancy at age 65 years in the UK in 2020 to 2022 was 18.3 years for males and 20.8 years for females – a fall of 22 weeks for males and 15 weeks for females compared with life expectancy at age 65 in 2017 to 2019.
Impact of Covid-19
The ONS said the fall in overall life expectancy reflects the increase in mortality seen during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 to 2021. Life expectancy had been increasing over the last decade, but the impact of the pandemic meant that life expectancy is now at approximately the same level as during 2010 to 2012.
It said the 2020 to 2022 period also saw the largest decrease in life expectancy since the ONS began its data series in 1980 to 1982.
Commenting on the release, Lane Clark & Peacock head of longevity and demographic insights Stuart McDonald said while any fall in life expectancy is “concerning”, there is little surprise in the most recent statistics given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“What is more important is how death rates will change in the future, especially given the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing pressures on the NHS. Trustees and sponsors of pension schemes need to think carefully about how these trends will affect their members in the future, whereas today’s update is a glance in the rear-view mirror.”
AJ Bell director of public policy Tom Selby added the numbers “reflect the devastating impact of coronavirus” and could make it difficult for an incoming government to increase the state pension age.
“While the ageing population continues to place huge strain on the public finances, these latest figures would make it extremely difficult for any government – either now or in the future – to justify a faster increase in the UK state pension age.”
Increasing longevity
A separate release from the ONS for England and Wales found an increase in the population of those aged 90 and over, which grew by 2.1% to its highest ever level of 550,835, from 2021 to 2022.
The statistics, which also recorded the number of centenarians (those aged 100 and over), found the population of this group more than doubled since 2002, with 15,120 recorded in 2022.
Phoenix Insights director Catherine Foot said while the statistics reflect a “success story of human ingenuity in areas such as health and medical science”, it poses challenges around improving society to support these groups.
“We need to make radical changes in areas such as financial security, work, skills, health and caring to transform the way we respond to the possibilities of longer lives and tackle the gap in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor. Better longer lives should not just be the preserve of the fortunate few, but a reality for us all.”
PensionBee director of public affairs Becky O’Connor said the statistics have “big implications for pensions and retirement planning” including on the state pension and the need to increase contributions.
“Of course, it’s incredibly hard to guess how long you might need retirement income to last for. It’s worth knowing that anything left within a defined contribution pension when you die will go to whoever is nominated on your ‘expression of wishes’ or nominated beneficiaries form, so it’s important this is kept up to date for all your pensions, including ones from previous employment.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
