Health in South West, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in the South West in 2022-2024 could expect 62.4 years in good health and a boy 62.4 years; women's figure is 3rd longest of 9 English regions (England: 61.3 and 60.9 years).
What is the life expectancy in the South West?
Life expectancy at birth in the South West was 84.1 years for women and 80.3 for men in 2022-2024, so women there spend about 21.7 years of life in poor health on average.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many adults are obese in the South West?
26.7% of adults in the South West were living with obesity in 2024/25 (OHID estimate from the Active Lives survey), 3rd 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 West?
The National Child Measurement Programme found obesity in 9.7% of reception children (aged 4 to 5) and 19.5% of Year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) in the South West in 2024/25; the Year 6 rate is 2nd lowest of 9 English regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people die early from heart disease in the South West?
Preventable deaths from heart and circulatory disease among people under 75 ran at 25.5 per 100,000 in the South West over 2022-2024, 2nd lowest rate of 9 English regions (England 30.2).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyAre cancers diagnosed early in the South West?
56.0% of new cancers in the South West were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 in 2018, when treatment works best (3rd highest share of 9 regions; England 54.6%).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow happy are people in the South West?
Adults in the South West rated their life satisfaction 7.49 out of 10 and their anxiety 3.15 out of 10 in 2022/23 (ONS Annual Population Survey; England 7.44 and 3.24).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow South West compares with other region of Englands
Healthy life expectancy at birth, women (years) (2022-2024)
South West ranks 3 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 West ranks 3 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 West ranks 7 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 West 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 | 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 West ranks 3 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 West ranks 3 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 West ranks 9 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 West: 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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