UK death rate ‘reaches record low’

A monopoly analysis conducted by BBC News shows that the UK’s death rate reached a record low last year.

Mortality experts looked at death certificates registered in 2024 and found that deaths per person in the population returned to pre-pandemic levels, slightly below previous 2019 records.

However, the new figures return to the long-term trend of gradually improving the UK.

This study was conducted by analysts from the Institute’s Serial Mortality Survey (CMI) and analysts from the Faculty of Actuaries.

“This is basically five years of improvement in flat mortality, and by historical standards it’s pretty poor,” said Stuart McDonald of CMI.

He also said there was a rise in “concerns” about mortality rates at younger working ages.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health said the government would “change the focus from illness to prevention.”

From 1974 to 2011, registered mortality rates in the UK were primarily driven by improved heart disease efforts, including smoking prevention and medical advances.

Between 2011 and 2019, improvements were dramatically slower, killing thousands more than usual, which changed direction during Covid. We also saw the first post-pandemic year of 2022 Extra number of deaths.

CMI analysts used interim weekly death registration figures for four UK countries to calculate a record number of 989 deaths per 100,000 people per 100,000 people.

“Obviously, it’s very good news that our mortality rates are lower than in 2024,” says Dr. Veena Raleigh, an epidemiologist at a health think tank. King’s Fund. “But when you look at the wider canvas, it’s not that good.”

Similar countries have experienced slowdowns since 2011, but the UK is even more severe and our average life expectancy is at the bottom of the pack of comparable countries, she said, adding that countries such as Spain have returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2023.

Researchers point to various reasons behind the slowdown since 2011. Some of the “low fruits” that improve heart disease and cancer, including reducing smoking rates, have already been generated, increasing further benefits.

At the same time, the UK saw elevated risk factors, including obesity, poor diet and low levels of exercise, against the backdrop of increasing social inequality and pressure on the NHS.

Some scholars argue that austerity will be reduced to public services after the 2008 financial crash had a strong impact on life expectancy, but others say it is impossible to prove this directly.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the leading causes of death in England and Wales. Latest official number. Heart disease, lung disease, stroke and lung cancer have also risen high with the flu over the years.

“Cardiovascular disease remains a major killer in the UK,” said Professor Brian Williams Obe, chief science officer at the British Heart Foundation.

“The plateau we saw in reducing deaths was a serious cause of concern and was exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact on already growing health services.”

He added that early deaths from cardiovascular disease have grown in England’s most disadvantaged regions, calling for “emergency government action” in its prevention, detection and treatment.

Overall mortality rates are a significant reflection of the health of older adults, as more than three-quarters of UK deaths occur at age 70.

Therefore, the main trend is driven by what is happening to people of this age group.

However, CMI discovered “really a huge difference” at a young age. Stuart McDonald has an upward trend of “concern” about the death rate for ages 20-44.

“For this age group, mortality rates have actually risen slightly even before the pandemic. Back in 2011, there can be a slight increase in mortality rates compared to the previous year.”

The number of deaths in this age group is much lower than the older age, and the causes tend to differ. Less than 20,000 people aged 20 to 44 die each year in the UK, roughly 3% of all deaths.

“External and substance-related causes are most important, as people die in this age group often die.” Leverfurum Centre for Demographic Science At Oxford University.

“Drug overdose, alcohol-related deaths, accidents, murders, suicides, etc.”

He says drug-related mortality rates are rising in the UK, particularly Scotland.

“These causes are usually improved in other Western European countries, and therefore have diverse effects.”

Commenting on the overall trends of all age groups, the Ministry of Health spokesman said:

“Through our plan for change, we have shifted our focus from disease to prevention, targeting health drivers, and catching the biggest killers before.

“We’re creating our first smoke-free power generation, stopping junk food ads targeting children, and improving detection of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.”