Life expectancy in Scotland one of the lowest in EU

Life expectancy in Scotland remains among the lowest levels in Europe, although it has improved in recent years, according to the registrar general’s report.

Men can expect to live for 76.1 years according to the latest statistics, while the figure is about 80.6 for women. This is up from 69.1 and 75.3 respectively, but means Scotland remains below Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

“Scottish men and women have relatively low expectation of life compared with much of the European Union and with the UK,” the report states.

Sweden has the highest life expectancy in the EU with an average 3.6 years higher than Scotland, although the gap has come down recently.

For women, the gap between Scotland and France, the country with the highest female life expectancy in the EU, has become wider since 1997-99. The gap between Scotland and Romania, the country with the lowest female expectancy, has narrowed.

Glaswegians have the shortest lifespans, according to the report, while in East Dunbartonshire, both men and women have the highest life expectancy. There are also differences between urban and rural areas. Men in rural areas can expect live about three and a half years longer then men in large cities, while the gap is two years for women.