Age Scotland comment on latest life expectancy statistics

Commenting on National Records of Scotland (NRS) and Office of National Statistics (ONS) life expectancy figures showing the number of people in Scotland aged 90-99 increasing by 45% and those over 100 by 17% over the last decade, Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, said:

“It’s great news that there has been a vast increase in the number of people living well into their 90s and beyond. Whatever their secret to long life is, it is certainly working.

“But there are still considerable numbers of people in Scotland dying much younger than this. There is a clear general link between levels of poverty and overall life expectancy.

“Recent trends show that the increase in life expectancy has been lagging behind England and that there is stagnation overall in Scotland. Reducing health inequalities and poverty is vital to achieving the Scottish Government's aim of making Scotland a better, healthier place for everyone, no matter where they live.

"The aspiration should be for Scotland to be the best nation in the world to grow old, but these figures show that we still have quite a way to go. More investment in our nation’s health and social care as well as reducing wealth inequalities is needed to improve quality and length of life.”

ENDS