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South west tops long-life table South west tops long-life table
(10 minutes later)
People in the south west are more likely to live into their mid 70s than those living elsewhere in England and Wales, official data shows.People in the south west are more likely to live into their mid 70s than those living elsewhere in England and Wales, official data shows.
The Office for National Statistics compared the current likelihood of living to 75 with the early 1980s.The Office for National Statistics compared the current likelihood of living to 75 with the early 1980s.
It found survival chances increased from 47% to 66% for men and 66% to 77% for women in England and Wales.It found survival chances increased from 47% to 66% for men and 66% to 77% for women in England and Wales.
Survival was generally higher in the south, but there were signs the gap with the north was narrowing.Survival was generally higher in the south, but there were signs the gap with the north was narrowing.
The north east, north west and Yorkshire and the Humber all saw the largest improvements in the probability of surviving to 75. The north east, north west and Yorkshire and the Humber all saw the largest improvements in the probability of surviving to 75 when comparing 1981-3 and 2004-6.
Overall, in the south west men now have a 70% chance of survival to 75 compared with a 62% probability in the north east. For women, it stands at 80% and 74% respectively.
On a local authority level, residents of East Dorset topped the long-life league. Women had a 86% chance of survival and men 78%.
At the other end of the spectrum, men in Manchester only had a 52% chance, while women in Blaenau Gwent in south Wales had a 67% chance.