Health in West Midlands, United Kingdom: official figures
A girl born in the West Midlands in 2022-2024 could expect 59.6 years in good health and a boy 60.2 years; women's figure is 5th longest of 9 English regions (England: 61.3 and 60.9 years).
What is the life expectancy in the West Midlands?
Life expectancy at birth in the West Midlands was 82.8 years for women and 78.7 for men in 2022-2024, so women there spend about 23.2 years of life in poor health on average.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many adults are obese in the West Midlands?
29.2% of adults in the West Midlands were living with obesity in 2024/25 (OHID estimate from the Active Lives survey), 3rd highest rate of 9 English regions; England stood at 26.6%.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the child obesity rate in the West Midlands?
The National Child Measurement Programme found obesity in 11.4% of reception children (aged 4 to 5) and 24.8% of Year 6 children (aged 10 to 11) in the West Midlands in 2024/25; the Year 6 rate is 2nd highest of 9 English regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people die early from heart disease in the West Midlands?
Preventable deaths from heart and circulatory disease among people under 75 ran at 33.9 per 100,000 in the West Midlands over 2022-2024, 4th highest rate of 9 English regions (England 30.2).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyAre cancers diagnosed early in the West Midlands?
53.8% of new cancers in the West Midlands were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 in 2018, when treatment works best (5th highest share of 9 regions; England 54.6%).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow happy are people in the West Midlands?
Adults in the West Midlands rated their life satisfaction 7.43 out of 10 and their anxiety 3.20 out of 10 in 2022/23 (ONS Annual Population Survey; England 7.44 and 3.24).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow West Midlands compares with other region of Englands
Healthy life expectancy at birth, women (years) (2022-2024)
West Midlands ranks 5 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 58.6 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, men (years) (2022-2024)
West Midlands ranks 5 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 58.2 |
Adults living with obesity (2024/25)
West Midlands 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 | Adults living with obesity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North East | 33.1% |
| 2 | East Midlands | 29.5% |
| 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% |
Preventable cardiovascular deaths under 75, per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2022-2024)
West Midlands ranks 4 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North West | 37.2 |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 35.6 |
| 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 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) (2022 to 2024)
West Midlands ranks 6 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, females (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9 | North West | 59.2 |
Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) (2022 to 2024)
West Midlands ranks 6 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth, males (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9 | Scotland | 59.1 |
Public spending on health per head (£) (2024-25)
West Midlands ranks 7 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on health, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on health per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10 | East Midlands | £3,168 |
More on West Midlands: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.