ONS data reveals average life expectancy in Watford

The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), were released from data collected between 2017 and 2019.

Watford is the only local area which had the average life expectancy from birth just below the national average – with the average life expectancy in Watford being 79.3 years for men and 82.1 years for women.

This compares to the national average of 79.4 years for men and 83.1 years for women.

In Three Rivers, the average life expectancy from birth was 81.3 years for men and 84.2 years for women – both above the national average.

The average life expectancy in Hertsmere was 80.4 years for men and 84.4 years for women.

In Dacorum, the average life expectancy was 81.7 for men and 84.4 for women.

Overall the lowest regional life expectancy for both males and females in 2017 to 2019 was observed in the North East; the North East's life expectancy at birth was also lower than in the countries of Wales and Northern Ireland but higher than in Scotland.

Edward Morgan, Centre for Ageing and Demography, ONS, said: "The improvements in life expectancy at birth for males and females in the UK between 2016 to 2018 and 2017 to 2019, although lower than historical improvements prior to 2011, were the highest annual improvements for five years.

"The gap in annual improvements in life expectancy at birth between males and females has been narrowing since 2013 to 2015.

"In 2017 to 2019, female life expectancy improvements were seen to slightly exceed those for males for the first time since the start of the published data series in 1981 to 1983.

"However, it is too early to say whether this is a trend that will continue into the future.

"The impact of Covid-19 on period life expectancy will be shown in the National life table for 2018 to 2020 which will be published in Autumn 2021.

"The National life tables 2017 to 2019 were produced using data up to the end of December 2019, and therefore precede the Covid-19 pandemic."