The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has published the latest data on life expectancy in Northern Ireland for 2016-2018. The report highlights the change in life expectancy including the extent to which mortality within certain age groups and causes of mortality have contributed to the change.
Key findings from the report are as follows:
- In 2016-2018, life expectancy for males and females was 78.7 years and 82.4 years, respectively, comparable to the figures in 2015-2017.
- From 2012-2014 to 2016-2018, male life expectancy increased by 0.4 years and female life expectancy increased by 0.1 years.
- Decreased mortality rates among 60-89-year olds contributed to the majority of the increase in male life expectancy over the period.
- Although no significant improvements were observed in the overall female life expectancy between 2012-2014 and 2016-2018, the mortality among women aged 50-59 years decreased.
- The improved male life expectancy of 0.8 years, primarily because of reduced cancer- and circulatory disease-related mortality, was offset by 0.4 years owing to increased mortality from various causes including digestive system and nervous system disorders.
- The improved female life expectancy of 0.6 years, primarily because of reduced cancer- and circulatory disease-related mortality, was largely offset by increased mortality from mental and behavioural disorders and nervous system disorders.
- Higher cancer- and circulatory disease-related mortality in males accounted for 1.2 and 0.8 years of the 3.7 years gap between the sexes, respectively. Males also had a higher mortality from suicide, further adding 0.5 years to the gap.
- In 2016-2018, the life expectancy at age 65 years was 18.4 years and 20.7 years for males and females, respectively.
- Disability-free life expectancy for males and females was 57.3 years and 57.2 years for females, respectively, in 2016-2018. This represents a reduction of 3.0 years and 4.6 years for males and females, respectively, since 2012-2014.
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