Death rates among 25–49-year-olds 42% higher in the North than the South of England, study finds
Death rates among adults ages 25–49 were 42% higher in the North than in the South of England in 2024, compared with 13% higher in 1981, according to research published today in The Lancet Public Health.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health reveals that death rates among adults aged 25-49 were 42% higher in the North of England compared to the South in 2024, a significant increase from 13% in 1981. The gap between the North and South has tripled over the past four decades. The research, led by experts from the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester, analyzed national death registrations and population estimates from 1981 to 2024.
While overall mortality rates decreased during this period, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted these improvements. The study found that the North-South mortality gap widened for both men and women in the 25-49 age group between 2010 and 2019, with a faster increase among women. Despite a slight narrowing during 2020-2024, the gap persisted among all age and sex groups.
The researchers emphasize that the persistent and widening North-South health divide among working-age adults and women in early to midlife presents major challenges for government. They call for sustained, coordinated action to address the social and economic drivers of excess mortality in the North, including improving health, work, and opportunity.
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