Health in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in Northern Ireland in 2022 to 2024 could expect 60.7 years in good health (UK 60.9), down from 61.9 years in 2017 to 2019; that is 5th highest of 12 among UK nations and regions.
How long do men live in good health in Northern Ireland?
For boys born in Northern Ireland in 2022 to 2024, healthy life expectancy was 60.8 years against 60.7 for the UK, 5th highest of 12.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the life expectancy in Northern Ireland?
Life expectancy at birth in Northern Ireland was 82.6 years for females and 78.8 years for males in 2022 to 2024, compared with 83.0 and 79.2 years across the UK; women there spend about 22 years of life in poor health.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow much is spent on health per person in Northern Ireland?
Public spending on health in Northern Ireland came to £3,659 per person in 2024-25, 4.9% above the UK average of £3,487, 4th highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyWhat is the NHS budget in Northern Ireland?
Identifiable health spending in Northern Ireland totalled £7,054 million in 2024-25, up 6.8% in cash terms from £6,605 million in 2020-21; £6,638 million of it was current spending and £416 million capital investment.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow happy are people in Northern Ireland?
Adults in Northern Ireland rated their life satisfaction at 7.63 out of 10 in 2022-23 (UK 7.45) and their anxiety at 2.91 out of 10.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow Northern Ireland compares with other nations
Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) (2022 to 2024)
Northern Ireland ranks 5 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | London | 62.9 |
| 3 | South West | 62.4 |
| 4 | East of England | 62.0 |
| 5 | Northern Ireland | 60.7 |
| 6 | West Midlands | 59.6 |
| 7 | Scotland | 59.4 |
| 8 | East Midlands | 59.3 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) (2022 to 2024)
Northern Ireland ranks 5 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | London | 62.9 |
| 3 | South West | 62.4 |
| 4 | East of England | 62.3 |
| 5 | Northern Ireland | 60.8 |
| 6 | West Midlands | 60.2 |
| 7 | East Midlands | 59.4 |
| 8 | Wales | 59.2 |
Public spending on health per head (£) (2024-25)
Northern Ireland ranks 4 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on health, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on health per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | £4,220 |
| 2 | Wales | £3,758 |
| 3 | North East | £3,694 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | £3,659 |
| 5 | North West | £3,644 |
| 6 | Scotland | £3,539 |
| 7 | West Midlands | £3,478 |
More on Northern Ireland: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · the United Kingdom
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
- HM Treasury: Country and Regional Analysis 2025: A tables, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a6a7af9e2bd…)
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