Male mortality rates are continuing to close in on those of females through healthier lifestyles, while women in the workplace suffer greater ill-health, official data has found.
The latest Office for National Statistics analysis, Part of Death Registrations Summary Tables, England and Wales, showed that among males, those aged 65 to 69 had the largest percentage decrease in mortality rates, with a 69 per cent decrease since 1963.
The greatest decrease for females was 60 per cent for those aged 70 to 74.
The trend to a reduction in the difference between male and female mortality rates is shown in all ages apart from those between 30 and 39. The ONS analysis explained the general narrowing of the gap was because of improvements in health rising at a greater rate in men than in women.
In contrast, the increase in the number of women entering the labour force during the past 50 years was considered to have had a negative effect on their life expectancy, with increasing levels of stress, smoking and drinking.
The ONS analysis speculated that a combination of factors are thought to be behind the changes, citing improvements in mortality from circulatory diseases, such as heart disease and strokes.
It said the main driving force for this was changes in lifestyle choices, such as stopping smoking, and medical and technological advances such as the introduction of statins, which lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.
The greatest change was in men’s smoking habits. In 1974, 44 per cent of men over 60 smoked compared to 26 per cent of women. By 2012, these rates had declined to 13 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.
Adviser view
Phil Stevenson, chartered financial planner at Ark Financial Planning in Tameside said the implication of the improvements in mortality rates meant annuity rates would continue to decline.
He said: “The biggest concern for the retiree is to ensure that their pension pot lasts long enough. This will particularly apply to those using draw-down, of course. It is important that advisers discuss longevity with clients as part of pensions planning, as we do here at Ark.”
Key facts:
Since 1963 male mortality has declined 69 per cent among males aged 65 to 69.
In 1963 male mortality rates were double those of females, for those aged 55 to 59.
By 2013 this difference had declined to around 1.5 times.
