Life Expectancy Calculator (UK)

How This Calculator Works

The tool starts with broad UK averages and adjusts up or down for common risk factors. Health inputs such as smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes have the biggest pull on the estimate. Lifestyle (activity, sleep, stress and alcohol) also matters. Genetics play a role too, which we reflect with a family history question.

Important: this isn’t a diagnosis or a replacement for medical advice. It’s a fast way to see how typical behaviours influence long-term outcomes — and where small, boring improvements (more steps, better sleep, smoking cessation) can compound into big gains.

What Actually Drives Life Expectancy?

• Smoking status — the single biggest modifiable factor.
• Blood pressure — consistently high readings increase cardiovascular risk.
• Lipids — elevated total cholesterol can signal higher risk.
• Diabetes — unmanaged blood sugar damages vessels and organs.
• Activity — 150+ mins of moderate exercise weekly is strongly protective.
• Body composition — gradual fat loss or muscle gain improves markers.
• Sleep — most adults do best between 7–9 hours.
• Alcohol — staying within UK guidance (≤14 units/week) lowers risk.
• Family history — early cardiovascular events in close relatives raise baseline risk.
• Everyday safety — yes to seatbelts; no to unnecessary risks.

According to the Office for National Statistics, average UK life expectancy at birth in 2020–2022 was ~78.6 years for males and ~82.6 years for females. Averages shift once health and lifestyle factors are considered — which is exactly what this calculator illustrates.

Turn Your Estimate Into a Business Plan

If a company relies on one or two people to win clients, deliver projects or keep cash flowing, the financial impact of losing them early can be severe. Business protection gives the firm time and money to recover:

• Key Person Cover — pays the business if a key employee or director dies or (optionally) suffers a critical illness. Helps fund recruitment, cover lost profits and calm lender nerves.
• Shareholder Protection — ensures remaining owners can buy back shares if a shareholder dies, preventing disputes or unwanted third-party influence.
• Business Loan Protection — matches outstanding loans so liabilities can be cleared and security released if an owner or guarantor dies.
• Executive Income Protection — replaces part of salary, pension and employer NI for a valuable employee who is off long-term sick, helping the business manage payroll and continuity.

Family Cover for Directors & Employees

For directors and senior employees, a Relevant Life Policy can provide individual life cover in a tax-efficient way, with benefits usually paid via a discretionary trust. It’s a neat solution when you don’t have (or want) a group scheme, and it helps protect families without creating a P11D headache.

How To Read Your Result (and Quick Wins)

Treat your number as a conversation starter, not a verdict. We show a range because real life is messy and risk factors interact. If your estimate landed lower than you expected, pick one lever you can pull this month: smoke fewer cigarettes, add two brisk walks a week, go to bed 30 minutes earlier, or cut alcohol on weeknights. None of this is glamorous, but it works. If you have ongoing medical issues or readings that worry you, book a chat with your GP.

Life Expectancy FAQs