Health in Wales, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in Wales in 2022 to 2024 could expect 58.5 years in good health (UK 60.9), down from 61.9 years in 2017 to 2019; that is 2nd lowest of 12 among UK nations and regions.
How long do men live in good health in Wales?
For boys born in Wales in 2022 to 2024, healthy life expectancy was 59.2 years against 60.7 for the UK, 5th lowest of 12.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the life expectancy in Wales?
Life expectancy at birth in Wales was 82.2 years for females and 78.3 years for males in 2022 to 2024, compared with 83.0 and 79.2 years across the UK; women there spend about 24 years of life in poor health.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow much is spent on health per person in Wales?
Public spending on health in Wales came to £3,758 per person in 2024-25, 7.8% above the UK average of £3,487, 2nd highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyWhat is the NHS budget in Wales?
Identifiable health spending in Wales totalled £11,974 million in 2024-25, up 17.2% in cash terms from £10,215 million in 2020-21; £11,430 million of it was current spending and £544 million capital investment.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow happy are people in Wales?
Adults in Wales rated their life satisfaction at 7.40 out of 10 in 2022-23 (UK 7.45) and their anxiety at 3.30 out of 10.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow Wales compares with other nations
Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) (2022 to 2024)
Wales ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 11 | Wales | 58.5 |
| 12 | North East | 56.9 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) (2022 to 2024)
Wales ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Northern Ireland | 60.8 |
| 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 |
Public spending on health per head (£) (2024-25)
Wales ranks 2 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 Wales: 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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