It found that disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) at birth for men in the UK increased from 60 years in 2000-2 to 62 in 2004-6.

For women it increased from 63 years (2000-2) to 64 (2004-6).

DFLE for males in 2004-6 was highest in England (63 years), compared with 62 in Scotland and 60 in Northern Ireland and Wales.

For women it was 64 in England, 63 in Wales and Scotland and 61 in Northern Ireland.

The increases in DFLE were generally greater than the increases in life expectancy, so the proportion of life spent disability-free has risen.

neil.durham@haymarket.com

• National Statistics

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