Scots are living longer

Scotland should be the best country in the world to grow old if more investment is put into social care and inequality is tackled.

Age Scotland made the claim in response to life expectancy statistics released this week showing men born in Scotland in 2016-2018 will live an average age span of 77 years while women will reach 81.

Since 1980-1982, life expectancy in Scotland has increased by 7.9 years for males and 5.8 years for females.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive, said: “It’s great news that there has been a vast increase in the number of people living well into their 90s and beyond. Whatever their secret to long life is, it is certainly working.

“But there are still considerable numbers of people in Scotland dying much younger than this. There is a clear general link between levels of poverty and overall life expectancy.”

“Recent trends show that the increase in life expectancy has been lagging behind England and that there is stagnation overall in Scotland. Reducing health inequalities and poverty is vital to achieving the Scottish Government's aim of making Scotland a better, healthier place for everyone, no matter where they live.

"The aspiration should be for Scotland to be the best nation in the world to grow old, but these figures show that we still have quite a way to go. More investment in our nation’s health and social care as well as reducing wealth inequalities is needed to improve quality and length of life.”