City babies have extra three years life expectancy

Babies born in Edinburgh live longer than in many other parts of the country. Picture: Christopher Furlong

Males born between 2012-13 can now expect to live until the ripe old age of 77 – three years more than those born at the dawn of the millennium.

And Edinburgh girls should outlive their equivalent in Glasgow City by three years – which has the lowest life expectancy rate.

In the most affluent parts of Scotland males can expect to live 12-and-a-half years longer than those in the poorest, according to the National Records of Scotland.

Glasgow continues to have the lowest life expectancy with boys due to live to 73 on average. East Lothian tops the regional rankings with girls and boys set to live until 81.6 and 78.5 years respectively.

Overall, the average life expectancy for males in Scotland has risen by 3.4 years over the last decade, with boys born between 2011 and 2013 expected to reach 76.9 years.The population in Lothian is predicted to grow by more than 165,000 by 2030 – a boom that will take it past one million.

Jackson Carlaw MSP, health spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said longer life expectancy was good news but warned the trend would heap further pressure on services such as the health service.

“Any increase in life expectancy is of course welcome,” he said. “But we have to appreciate this brings with it additional challenges for the NHS and local authorities in the Lothians. We need to face up to the fact we’ve got an ageing population, and that’s going to put an incredible burden on health services and pension funds in years to come.”

According to the figures, the gap between rich and poor also remains stark, with the average lifespan of both men and women north of the Border lagging behind rates in England. Men born in the poorest parts of Scotland can expect to die almost ten years sooner than the average English male, who will live to 79.2 years.

Analysts found men living in Scotland’s wealthiest areas can expect to live on average 12.5 years longer than their contemporaries in deprived regions.

People in rural areas will live longer than those in urban settings, the report concluded, and the average life expectancy of women (80.9 years) is still considerably higher than men (76.8 years).

Mr Carlaw said the regional figures made “grim” reading, adding: “This is another major challenge we face, and it’s a case of driving the message home and ensuring the NHS is well enough resourced. But it’s also a matter of personal responsibility. Everyone knows a good diet and active lifestyle are key to living longer.”

Tim Ellis, chief executive of National Records of Scotland, said: “This report shows that life expectancy continues to vary widely across Scotland.

“Life expectancy is highest in East Dunbartonshire and lowest in Glasgow City for both men and women. People living in rural areas, in general, live longer than those in more urban areas.