Life expectancy

Life expectancy (LE) at birth has been used as a measure of the health status of the population in England and Wales since the 1840s. It was employed in some of the earliest reports of the Registrar General to illustrate the differences in mortality experienced by populations in different parts of the country. The tradition of using life expectancy as an indicator of geographic inequalities in health has been continued by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) since 2001, with the publication of sub-national life expectancy statistics. Period life expectancy at a given age for an area is the average number of years a person would live, if he or she experienced the particular area age-specific mortality rates for that time period throughout his or her life.

Many studies have shown that geographical variations in life expectancy can largely be accounted for by individual and area-based deprivation. The Marmot Review 10 Years On, published in 2020, shows for the first time in more than 100 years life expectancy has failed to increase across the country, and for the poorest 10% of women it has actually declined. Over the last decade health inequalities have widened overall, and the amount of time people spend in poor health has increased since 2010.This means people in poorer areas not only die sooner, but they will also spend more of their lives living with a long-term health condition or disability. For society to have a healthy population it is essential to take action to both raise the general level of health and flatten the social gradient.

Key findings: life expectancy at birth

Unless stated otherwise, the figures below refer to the 2021-23 period.

• In Lancashire-12, life expectancy at birth (LE) for males (77.9 years) is significantly worse compared to England (79.1). Both Blackburn with Darwen (75.6) and Blackpool (73.1) are also significantly worse compared to England, with Blackpool having the lowest male LE in the country (when ranked against all County and UAs). 
• At a district level, only Ribble Valley (81.1 years) and South Ribble (79.9) had a significantly better male LE when compared to England. Chorley (78.3), Pendle (77.7), Lancaster (77.4), Rossendale (77.1), Preston (76.3), Hyndburn (76.1), and Burnley (75.5) are all significantly worse than England. 
• For females, there is a similar picture, with LE at birth significantly worse in Lancashire-12 (82.0 years), Blackburn with Darwen (80.1), and Blackpool (78.9), when compared to England (83.1 years). Blackpool has the lowest female LE in the country (when ranked against all County and UAs). 
• As observed for males, at district level, only Ribble Valley (85.0 years) and South Ribble (83.7 years) have a significantly higher LE for females when compared with England. The LE at birth for females are significantly worse than England in West Lancashire (82.5), Chorley (82.3), Wyre (81.9), Lancaster (81.7), Pendle (81.4), Rossendale (81.3), Preston (81.3), Burnley (80.1), Hyndburn (80.0).
• The slope index of inequality (SII) measures inequalities in LE at birth within local authorities and represents the range in years, of life expectancy, and measures the gradient in LE across the most to least deprived small areas. 
• Data from 2021-23, for males, this figure is 11.6 years in the Lancashire-12 area, 12.7 years in Blackburn with Darwen and 13.1 years in Blackpool (England 10.5).
• For females the SII is 8.6 years in Lancashire-12, 10.3 years in Blackburn with Darwen and 10.0 years in Blackpool (England 8.3) over the 2021-23 period.

 Key findings: Life expectancy at 65 years

Unless stated otherwise, the figures below refer to the 2021-23 period. Life expectancy at 65 is the average number of years a person would expect to live based on contemporary mortality rates. 

• In Lancashire-12, life expectancy at 65 years for males (18.1 years) is significantly lower when compared to England (18.7). Blackburn with Darwen (16.7) and Blackpool (16.1) also have a significantly lower life expectancy at 65. Blackpool LE at 65 for males is the lowest in the country (when ranked against all County and UAs)
• At district level, only males in Ribble Valley (20.2 years) and South Ribble (19.4 years) have a significantly higher LE at 65, compared to England. Pendle (18.1), Chorley (18.1), West Lancashire (18.1), Lancaster (18.0), Hyndburn (17.3), Rossendale (17.2), Preston (17.2), Burnley (16.7) are significantly lower when compared with England. 
• For males, 2021-23, the SII in LE at 65 is 6.3 years for Lancashire-12; for Blackburn with Darwen it is 7.4 years and Blackpool it is 5.1 years (England 5.6).
• In Lancashire-12, life expectancy at 65 years for females (20.5 years) is significantly lower than England (21.1). Blackburn with Darwen (19.0) and Blackpool (19.2) are also estimated to have a significantly lower life expectancy at 65.
• Looking at the districts, as seen for males, females in Ribble Valley (22.6) and South Ribble (21.6 years) have a significantly higher LE at 65 compared to England. Meanwhile females in West Lancaster (20.7), Wyre (20.7), Lancaster (20.3), Chorley (20.3), Pendle (20.3), Preston (20.0), Rossendale (19.8), Hyndburn (19.1), and Burnley (19.0) are all significantly lower.
• For females in Lancashire-12, the SII in LE at 65 for the 2021-23 period is 5.1 years; for Blackburn with Darwen it is 8.4 years and Blackpool it is 3.9 years (England 5.0 years).

 For county, district and unitary data and further information please see below.

Page updated September 2025