Health in Scotland, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in Scotland in 2022 to 2024 could expect 59.4 years in good health (UK 60.9), down from 62.2 years in 2017 to 2019; that is 6th lowest of 12 among UK nations and regions.
How long do men live in good health in Scotland?
For boys born in Scotland in 2022 to 2024, healthy life expectancy was 59.1 years against 60.7 for the UK, 4th lowest of 12.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the life expectancy in Scotland?
Life expectancy at birth in Scotland was 81.1 years for females and 77.2 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 Scotland?
Public spending on health in Scotland came to £3,539 per person in 2024-25, 1.5% above the UK average of £3,487, 6th highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyWhat is the NHS budget in Scotland?
Identifiable health spending in Scotland totalled £19,633 million in 2024-25, up 8.4% in cash terms from £18,114 million in 2020-21; £18,679 million of it was current spending and £954 million capital investment.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow happy are people in Scotland?
Adults in Scotland rated their life satisfaction at 7.49 out of 10 in 2022-23 (UK 7.45) and their anxiety at 3.21 out of 10.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow Scotland compares with other nations
Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) (2022 to 2024)
Scotland ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9 | North West | 59.2 |
| 10 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 58.6 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) (2022 to 2024)
Scotland ranks 9 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | West Midlands | 60.2 |
| 7 | East Midlands | 59.4 |
| 8 | Wales | 59.2 |
| 9 | Scotland | 59.1 |
| 10 | North West | 58.3 |
| 11 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 58.2 |
| 12 | North East | 57.0 |
Public spending on health per head (£) (2024-25)
Scotland ranks 6 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on health, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on health per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | North East | £3,694 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | £3,659 |
| 5 | North West | £3,644 |
| 6 | Scotland | £3,539 |
| 7 | West Midlands | £3,478 |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £3,356 |
| 9 | South West | £3,309 |
More on Scotland: 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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