Figures unveiled by the Office for National Statistics forecast that approximately a quarter of British Boys and girls born in 20 years’ time will live to at least 100 years of age.
The UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics published national population projections and past and projected lifetables that provide an indication of the potential future size and structure of the UK. This included estimates claiming that 19% of girls and 13.6% of boys born in 2020 are predicted to live beyond 100. This is forecast to grow to 27% of girls and 20.9% of boys in 2045.
According to the ONS data, boys that were born in the UK in 2020 can expect to live on average to 87 years while girls can expect to live on average to 90 years.
Despite estimates showing a possible rise in average age for those born today, experts warn that improvements may have been hindered. Analysts fear that despite improvements stalling prior to the pandemic, the emergence of COVID may have exacerbated the issue.
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‘Massive Challenge’
Assistant director of healthy lives at the Health Foundation think tank, David Finch, said: “Today’s figures show that children born today can still expect to live longer than their parents.
“However, people living in the UK today are not expected to live for as long as previously predicted.
“The unprecedented increase in deaths caused by Covid-19 should end as we move beyond the pandemic, but there will be a lasting impact from the decade of stalling life expectancy prior to the pandemic.
“Girls born in 2020 are now expected to die 4.8 years earlier than was expected in 2012, and boys, 4.5 years earlier.
“The Government faces a massive challenge in delivering its promise to improve life expectancy for people in the UK.
“A whole-Government approach is required if we are to see significant progress, including in areas that contribute to health, such as having more secure employment, good quality homes and adequate welfare support for those who are struggling.
“Improving health needs to be a key consideration in all Government policy and investment decisions, the vast majority of which have the potential to help or hinder efforts.
“The pandemic has laid bare the extent of underlying poor health in the UK, with tragic consequences. Good health is vital to the country’s prosperity and Government cannot delay any further in investing in our future.”
It comes following research indicating that life expectancy was already decrease before COVID-19 emerged.
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