Female Life Expectancy in the UK: What Longevity Says About Gender Equity

Female life expectancy in the UK measures the average number of years a woman is expected to live, based on current mortality patterns. Women typically outlive men — but longer lives do not always mean healthier or fairer lives.

This indicator reveals the intersection of healthcare access, social roles, economic security and lifelong wellbeing. When viewed through a place-based lens, female life expectancy becomes a powerful signal of gender equity — not just longevity.

Why Female Life Expectancy in the UK Matters

Women in the UK live longer on average than men, yet many of those additional years are spent managing:

• Chronic illness

• Reduced mobility

• The burden of unpaid caregiving

• Loneliness or limited social support

Key areas of women’s health — including reproductive health, menopause, mental health and chronic conditions — have historically been underfunded or overlooked.

As a result, higher female life expectancy can sometimes mask gendered inequalities in health, work and care, rather than signalling positive outcomes alone.

The Story Behind Female Life Expectancy Data

Differences in female life expectancy in the UK across regions reveal the importance of place.

Lower life expectancy among women often aligns with:

• Deprivation and insecure housing

• Poor access to primary and preventative healthcare

• Limited childcare and local support networks

• Higher exposure to stress, isolation and work–life strain

Employment conditions, caring responsibilities and access to community support all shape how well women age, not just how long they live. This indicator therefore captures quality of life as much as length of life.

The Wider Impact of Female Life Expectancy on Society

Female longevity has far-reaching implications beyond individual health.

Families and unpaid care

Women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care — supporting children, ageing relatives and household wellbeing. When women experience ill-health, the effects ripple through families and communities.

Workforce and economy

Healthy women are essential to sustaining the workforce and local economies. However, many women reduce working hours or leave employment entirely due to caring responsibilities, affecting lifetime earnings and economic security.

Ageing and vulnerability

Because women live longer, they face higher risks of:

• Widowhood

• Financial insecurity in later life

• Long-term illness and disability

Supporting women’s health is therefore central to family resilience, economic stability and sustainable care systems.

Why Female Life Expectancy Is a Valuable Indicator for Decision-Makers

For councils, ICSs and policymakers, female life expectancy in the UK provides critical insight.

It helps decision-makers to:

• Assess public-health performance across women’s life courses

• Identify gaps in maternal health, mental health and chronic disease support

• Plan for long-term care and ageing populations

• Understand gendered patterns of health, work and economic vulnerability

Because women often live longer but with more years in poor health, this indicator is essential for shaping prevention-first strategies and equitable service design.

Understanding the Determinants of Female Life Expectancy

Differences between male and female life expectancy reflect a mix of biological, behavioural and social factors.

Biological factors

• Hormonal protections, such as oestrogen’s cardiovascular benefits

• Stronger immune responses

Behavioural and social factors

• Men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours

• Women are more likely to seek medical care and maintain social networks

• Women face greater unpaid care burdens and cumulative stress

Recognising these differences allows decision-makers to develop gender-responsive health and prevention strategies, rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Why Female Life Expectancy in the UK Matters Now — and in the Future

Today, female life expectancy reflects how well society supports women across key life stages — from pregnancy and work to caregiving, menopause and ageing.

It also signals progress (or lack of it) in:

• Gender equality

• Access to education and employment

• Healthcare provision and prevention

Looking ahead, as populations age, women will make up a growing share of older adults. Female life expectancy in the UK will become central to planning:

• Pension sustainability

• Demand for health and social care

• Chronic disease prevention

• Financial security for older women

Ensuring women live longer and healthier lives is essential for social and economic resilience in the decades ahead.

The Bigger Picture: From Longevity to Fairness

“Female life expectancy” is not simply a measure of years lived. It is a measure of dignity, opportunity and fairness — asking whether women have the healthcare, support and security they need to age well, not just live longer.

How is your area supporting women’s health and quality of life across every stage of life?