Health in South East, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in the South East in 2022-2024 could expect 64.3 years in good health and a boy 63.0 years; women's figure is the longest of 9 English regions (England: 61.3 and 60.9 years).
What is the life expectancy in the South East?
Life expectancy at birth in the South East was 84.4 years for women and 80.7 for men in 2022-2024, so women there spend about 20.1 years of life in poor health on average.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many adults are obese in the South East?
24.4% of adults in the South East were living with obesity in 2024/25 (OHID estimate from the Active Lives survey), 2nd lowest rate of 9 English regions; England stood at 26.6%.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the child obesity rate in the South East?
The National Child Measurement Programme found obesity in 9.4% of reception children (aged 4 to 5) and 19.2% of Year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) in the South East in 2024/25; the Year 6 rate is the lowest of 9 English regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people die early from heart disease in the South East?
Preventable deaths from heart and circulatory disease among people under 75 ran at 23.5 per 100,000 in the South East over 2022-2024, the lowest rate of 9 English regions (England 30.2).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyAre cancers diagnosed early in the South East?
56.4% of new cancers in the South East were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 in 2018, when treatment works best (the highest share of 9 regions; England 54.6%).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow happy are people in the South East?
Adults in the South East rated their life satisfaction 7.53 out of 10 and their anxiety 3.28 out of 10 in 2022/23 (ONS Annual Population Survey; England 7.44 and 3.24).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow South East compares with other region of Englands
Healthy life expectancy at birth, women (years) (2022-2024)
South East ranks 1 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, women (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 64.3 |
| 2 | London | 62.9 |
| 3 | South West | 62.4 |
| 4 | East of England | 62.0 |
| 5 | West Midlands | 59.6 |
| 6 | East Midlands | 59.3 |
| 7 | North West | 59.2 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, men (years) (2022-2024)
South East ranks 1 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, men (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 63.0 |
| 2 | London | 62.9 |
| 3 | South West | 62.4 |
| 4 | East of England | 62.3 |
| 5 | West Midlands | 60.2 |
| 6 | East Midlands | 59.4 |
| 7 | North West | 58.3 |
Adults living with obesity (2024/25)
South East ranks 8 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Adults living with obesity |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | West Midlands | 29.2% |
| 4 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 29.1% |
| 5 | North West | 28.6% |
| 6 | East of England | 27.7% |
| 7 | South West | 26.7% |
| 8 | South East | 24.4% |
| 9 | London | 20.4% |
Preventable cardiovascular deaths under 75, per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2022-2024)
South East ranks 9 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Preventable cardiovascular deaths under 75, per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | North East | 34.9 |
| 4 | West Midlands | 33.9 |
| 5 | East Midlands | 32.2 |
| 6 | London | 29.6 |
| 7 | East of England | 26.0 |
| 8 | South West | 25.5 |
| 9 | South East | 23.5 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) (2022 to 2024)
South East ranks 1 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 64.3 |
| 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 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) (2022 to 2024)
South East ranks 1 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 63.0 |
| 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 |
Public spending on health per head (£) (2024-25)
South East ranks 12 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on health, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on health per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Scotland | £3,539 |
| 7 | West Midlands | £3,478 |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £3,356 |
| 9 | South West | £3,309 |
| 10 | East Midlands | £3,168 |
| 11 | East of England | £3,091 |
| 12 | South East | £3,088 |
More on South East: 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 (116 indicators for UK local areas, regions and nations), spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
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