People in Northern Ireland are living longer than in the past – but stark gaps remain depending on where you live, your gender and levels of deprivation, according to new figures published by the Department of Health.
The latest ‘Life Expectancy in Northern Ireland 2022–24’ report shows that men can now expect to live to 78.8 years on average, while women have an average life expectancy of 82.6 years.
Since the early 1980s, life expectancy has risen by 9.6 years for men and 7.1 years for women. However, the report highlights that progress has slowed significantly over the past decade, particularly for women.
Where you live continues to have a major impact on how long you are likely to live.
Among the 11 council areas:
Men live longest on average in Lisburn & Castlereagh (80.5 years) and shortest in Belfast (76.5 years). In Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon its 79.0 – the fourth lowest in NI. In Newry Mourne and Down, it’s 79.4.
Women live longest in Lisburn & Castlereagh and Fermanagh & Omagh (both 83.8 years), with the lowest in Belfast (80.5 years). In Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon its 83.2, similarly to Newry, Mourne and Down – ranking at joint fifth.
Across the Health and Social Care Trusts:
The South Eastern Trust recorded the highest life expectancy for both men (79.7) and women (83.2). The Belfast Trust recorded the lowest for both men (77.1) and women (81.1).
Women continue to outlive men by a significant margin. In 2022–24, women were expected to live 3.8 years longer than men.
The biggest contributor to this gap comes from: Circulatory disease and cancer, which together account for over two years of the difference.
Accidental deaths also play a major role.
Male mortality is higher across every age group, particularly among those aged 70–79. Deprivation has a huge impact. The report reveals a sharp divide between the most and least deprived communities.
Men in the most deprived 20% of areas can expect to live just 74.6 years, compared to 81.8 years in the least deprived – a gap of 7.2 years.
Women in deprived areas have a life expectancy of 79.4 years, compared with 84.9 years in the least deprived – a gap of 5.5 years.
Major causes of the gap include: Heart disease and circulatory illnesses; Cancer; Respiratory disease; Accidental deaths; Suicide, which remains a significant contributor for men.
For women, cancer – particularly lung cancer – is the largest single contributor to the deprivation gap.
Healthy life expectancy falling
While people may be living longer, the number of years spent in good health is actually declining. Women’s healthy life expectancy has fallen by nearly two years, from 62.1 to 60.2 years.
Men’s healthy life expectancy has dropped slightly to 59.3 years.
The number of years people can expect to live free from disability has also fallen: Women: down to 56.6 years; Men: down to 57.1 years
Worryingly, the healthy life expectancy gap between rich and poor men has widened sharply, now standing at almost 15 years.
Little change since the pandemic. Overall life expectancy has risen only slightly since 2018–20, with changes so small they are not statistically significant.
Improvements in deaths from Covid-19, cancer and mental health-related causes were largely offset by rising deaths from other conditions across both genders.
The report paints a mixed picture: people in Northern Ireland are living longer than previous generations, but progress is slowing, and inequality remains deeply entrenched.
Health officials say the findings highlight the urgent need to tackle: Socio-economic deprivation; Preventable illness; Mental health and suicide
The full report, including breakdowns by council and trust area, has been published by the Department of Health.
