Life expectancy in Scotland increases

The figures said there was wide variation in life expectancy across Scotland

Life expectancy for men and women in Scotland has risen to between 76 and 80 in the last few years, according to new official figures.

But the figures from National Records of Scotland showed there was wide variation across the country in the length of time people live.

They also showed that people in the most deprived areas died sooner.

East Dunbartonshire had the highest life expectancy in Scotland, while the lowest was in Glasgow.

The figures, which covered 2011-13, showed:

• Life expectancy in Scotland is 76.8 years for males and 80.9 years for females, but with considerable variation between areas

• Men in East Dunbartonshire can expect to live for 80.5 years - 7.5 years longer than those in Glasgow - while women in East Dunbartonshire can expect to live for 83.9 years, 5.4 years longer than those in Glasgow

• Scottish males and females have the lowest life expectancy at birth in the United Kingdom. Male life expectancy is 2.1 years lower than the UK average, with the figure at 1.8 years for women

Tim Ellis, National Records of Scotland chief executive, said: "This report shows that life expectancy continues to vary widely across Scotland.

"People living in rural areas, in general, live longer than those in more urban areas.

"Men in the least deprived areas of Scotland may live 12.5 years longer than those in the most deprived areas while women in the least deprived areas could expect to live 8.5 years longer than those in the most deprived."