What are people in the United Kingdom most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in the United Kingdom is about 79 years for men and 83 for women. But what threatens people most changes with age — and until late middle age it is rarely what people expect. Pick an age group for the full picture.
Top cause = the most likely cause of death over the next 10 years (on wider screens, with its share of all risk) · 10-year risk = chance of dying from any cause within 10 years, for someone in the middle of the age group.
Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call Samaritans on 116 123 — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
Cancer screening in the United Kingdom
- Breast cancerevery 3 years, ages 50–71 (first invitation by 53)
- Colorectal cancerevery 2 years, ages 50–74 (home FIT kit; 60–74 in Northern Ireland)
- Cervical cancerevery 5 years, ages 25–64 (HPV test)
- Lung cancerages 55–74 if you've ever smoked — invited where the NHS programme runs (all of England by 2030)
Based on NHS screening programmes, the NHS Health Check and the NHS vaccination schedule. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official ONS, NRS and NISRA mortality statistics for the United Kingdom (2023–2024) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.