Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'Life expectancy in UK lowest in mixed ethnic and White groups'

'Life expectancy in UK lowest in mixed ethnic and White groups'

BANGLADESHI women and Asian men have among the longest life spans in the UK, data has shown.

A survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that people from mixed ethnic and white groups had lower life expectancy when compared to Black and Asian groups when data between 2011 and 2014 was studied.


Findings released on Monday (26) found that white and mixed ethnic women had a life expectancy of 83.1 years, while for black African women the figure was 88.9.

Bangladeshi women had a life expectancy of 87.3 years; for Indian women the figure was 85.4 years and 82.3 years for men.

Among Pakistanis, the corresponding figures were 84.8 years and 82.3 years, respectively. Black African women could expect to live to 88.9 years and men, 83.8; for black Caribbeans, the figures were 84.6 years and 80.7 years, respectively.

White people were more likely to die of cancer than their black or Asian counterparts, according to the ONS data analysis, while heart disease mortality was found to be highest in the Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Indians.

Julie Stanborough, deputy director health analysis and life events, said, "Today’s new experimental data show that between 2011 and 2014 people of white and mixed ethnic groups had lower life expectancy at birth than all other ethnic groups, with the black African group having significantly higher life expectancy than most other groups.

“It also found the white ethnic group were more likely to die of cancer than their black or Asian counterparts, while for both sexes, ischaemic heart disease mortality was highest in the Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian groups.

“Further research is required to investigate the reasons for the differences. However, these results reveal important patterns in life expectancy and mortality by ethnic group which are complex, but nevertheless consistent with most previous studies.”

Dr Veena Raleigh, a senior fellow at the King’s Fund thinktank told the Guardian one key reason for higher life expectancy among ethnic minorities is the so-called “healthy migrant effect”.

She cited evidence that migrants tend to be healthier, due to lower levels of smoking, alcohol consumption and other risk factors. However, she cautioned that this effect diminished over time as successive generations tend to assume lifestyles similar to native populations.

“So, there are ethnic differences in health, but we need to be very precise in knowing what the data is showing, and targeting the specific factors affecting health in specific groups,” she said.

“It’s a kaleidoscope … and you need a magnifying glass to identify what the problems are, why they’re occurring, and how they should be addressed.”

Males in the Bangladeshi, Indian and mixed ethnic groups had statistically significantly higher mortality rates from circulatory diseases than males in the white ethnic group and most other groups, according to the ONS.

Females in the Pakistani ethnic group had the highest mortality rate from circulatory diseases, followed by those in the mixed, Indian and Black Caribbean groups. Diabetes mortality was lowest among those in the white ethnic group, while the highest rates were observed in the Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnic groups for each sex and the black Caribbean ethnic group for females.

Cancer mortality was lowest among males in the Indian and Asian other ethnic groups. Females in the white ethnic group had a significantly higher mortality rate from cancer than females in all other ethnic groups, while females in the Pakistani, Indian and Asian other ethnic groups had the lowest rates, the ONS survey found.

More For You

Starmer-speech-Reuters

Although he did not give a specific target, Starmer said migration would fall sharply under his government’s new plan. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Starmer pledges sharp fall in net migration by 2029

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Monday said net migration to Britain would drop significantly by the end of this parliament in 2029, promising greater control to support social cohesion and boost local workforce investment.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer said countries need rules to define rights, responsibilities and obligations, and warned that without them, Britain risked "becoming an island of strangers".

Keep ReadingShow less
Severe thunderstorms set to sweep UK

The warning may lead to localised flooding

iStock

Severe thunderstorms set to sweep UK for 10 hours – Met Office lists areas at risk

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering large parts of England and Wales on Monday, 13 May. The warning will be in effect from 12pm until 10pm, spanning a total of 10 hours.

According to the forecaster, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and continue into the evening, potentially causing flooding and travel disruption in some areas. The warning does not include Greater Manchester, but many other regions are covered.

Keep ReadingShow less
Srinagar-market-Reuters

People move in a busy marketplace in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, May 12, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Calm returns after India-Pakistan ceasefire, military talks planned

TOP military officials from India and Pakistan were set to speak on Monday, following a ceasefire that ended four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks across the border. The call between the heads of military operations was scheduled for 12:00 pm (0630 GMT).

The Indian army reported that the previous night was the "first calm night in recent days" in Kashmir and along the western border with Pakistan. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days."

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing pressure to bring down net migration, following the strong performance of Reform, which campaigned on an anti-immigration platform in recent local elections.(Photo: Getty Images)

UK to limit skilled visas and push local worker training

The UK government has announced plans to restrict skilled worker visas to graduate-level jobs and require businesses to train more local workers. The move is aimed at ending what it calls a "failed free market experiment" in mass immigration.

The policy will form part of a white paper to be published on Monday, which will outline how the Labour government plans to reduce immigration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sheikh-Hasina-Getty

Sheikh Hasina is currently in self-imposed exile in India and has not responded to an arrest warrant issued in Dhaka, where she faces charges of crimes against humanity. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bangladesh bans Awami League activities during tribunal trial

BANGLADESH's interim government on Saturday banned all activities of the Awami League, the party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as it faces trial over a crackdown on protests that led to Hasina’s removal last year.

The United Nations said up to 1,400 protesters were killed in July 2024 during action taken by Hasina's government against opposition supporters.

Keep ReadingShow less