The Registrar General for Scotland report, ‘Life Expectancy for Administrative Areas within Scotland 2004-2006,’ found that life expectancy from birth in Scotland now stands at 74.6 years for men and 79.6 years for women, 72.1 years and 77.9 years respectively in 1994-1996. In addition, although there is still a five year gap in the life expectancies of men and women, the report found that this has dropped from 5.7 years over the ten year period.

However, the report, which also compiles the data by council and NHS board areas of Scotland, found that these figures varied considerably across Scotland. East Dunbartonshire council was found to have the highest male life expectancy at 78 years, 7.5 years higher than Glasgow City, which had the lowest at 70.5 years.

For women, East Renfrewshire council had the highest life expectancies rate, 81.9 years, nearly five years more than Glasgow City, which had the lowest at 77 years.

Similarly, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was found to be the health board with the lowest figure for both men and women, at 72.5 years for men and 78.2 years for women. In comparison, NHS Shetland had the highest, with men now living 76.6 years on average, which compared at an increase of 4.9 years is the biggest rise in life expectancy for men, and women 81.5 years.

Commenting on the results, Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland said that while people are living longer, there are still inequalities in life expectancies to be addressed. He said: "Our calculations show that people throughout Scotland are likely to live longer now than they did 10 years ago. But that improvement is not spread equally. 

“Life expectancy for men in Shetland has risen by almost five years – but by only two months in Clackmannanshire. For women, life expectancy in East Dunbartonshire has increased by almost three years, but in East Ayrshire by only eight months".

To view the report visit the General Register Office for Scotland website.