Report lays bare geographical inequalities in health, wealth, opportunity and life outcomes
The International Longevity Centre UK report reveals that inequalities in health, wealth and opportunity are “stark and persistent”.
It emphasises that ‘place’ still plays a critical role in shaping life outcomes — impacting health, opportunity and ageing.
Belfast ranked 334 out of 359 locations, while Derry City & Strabane was the lowest of all local areas (357).
Hart in England was at the top of the table for life expectancy at 84.4 years. In Derry City & Strabane it is 79.5, and in Belfast 78.1.
While the child poverty rate in Hart is 7.3%, it is 24.9% in Derry City & Strabane, and 26.9% in Belfast.
Factors contributing to Derry City & Strabane being ranked so low included disposable income of just £17,520 (Belfast is £18,276).
The report states: “We estimate over 550,000 excess deaths across the UK between 2016 and 2021 due to geographic inequality. This shows the urgent need for place-based investment and reform to close the health and wellbeing gap.
“The planned rollout of health hubs in England’s most deprived areas is welcome, but our UK-wide index reveals major challenges for supporting better lives in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland too.
“A joined-up, pan-UK strategy is needed — one that connects national health plans with devolved systems and works with local communities to reduce inequalities across all nations.”
It adds: “This index is not just a diagnosis, it’s a roadmap for action. It helps us see where inequality persists, but also where meaningful, inclusive growth can take root.
“With the right attention and investment, the places currently at the bottom of the index can become engines of renewal while improvements can be made across different dimensions in all places to support longer, better lives.”
Lisburn & Castlereagh was ranked the highest local area (170).
Mid Ulster was 197th; Ards and North Down 226th; Antrim and Newtownabbey 235th; Newry, Mourne and Down 242th; Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 244th; Mid and East Antrim 252th; Fermanagh and Omagh 303rd, and Causeway Coast and Glens 323rd.
Key findings show that child poverty averages 12% in the top-ranked areas but 29% in the lowest — and more than 40% in Oldham, Pendle and Bradford.
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Life expectancy at birth is nine years longer in Richmond upon Thames (85) than in Blackpool (76).
Households in the top 20% of areas were found to have £10,000 more disposable income on average than those in the bottom 20%.
And avoidable mortality is almost twice as high in the bottom fifth of areas compared to the top.