Could an Extra "Healthy Life" Year Generate the UK £35.2bn?
An additional year of healthy life could generate £35.2 billion in economic value across the UK and Ireland, according to research published this year. As Europe’s population ages, the findings highlight how better health could support economic growth and help people remain active in the workforce for longer.
Key Takeaways
- One extra healthy year could generate £35.2 billion across the UK and Ireland.
- The UK alone could benefit from £28.9 billion in additional economic output.
- The economic value of healthy ageing varies significantly between regions.
- Longer, healthier lives could help support Europe’s ageing workforce.
How Much Is an Extra Healthy Year Worth?
A 2026 report by Dr Nima Sanandaji, UK and Ireland Longevity Trends Can Be Boosted by Swedish-Style Tobacco Policies, examines the economic benefits of extending healthy life expectancy.
The research estimates that if today’s 50-year-olds across the UK and Ireland each gained one additional year of healthy life, the resulting economic contribution could reach £35.2 billion.
The calculation assumes that individuals would spend half of their additional healthy year working and the other half enjoying retirement or leisure.
With more people able to remain economically active for longer, the report suggests that even relatively small improvements in healthy life expectancy could have substantial economic benefits.
What Is A Healthy Life Year?
‘Healthy life years’ refer to how long people can expect to live before sickness or disability impacts quality of life.
By focusing on healthy life years, the report considers not just how long people live, but how long they can remain active, independent, and able to contribute to the economy.
Learn more in the article Why Healthy Life Years Matter More Than Lifespan.
Economic Value Varies Across the UK
The estimated economic value of an additional healthy year varies across the UK and Ireland.
The table below shows the estimated economic value of an extra healthy year across the UK and Ireland, based on half of the year spent working. The figures represent contributions to economic output, rather than individual earnings.
| Region | Estimated Value Per Additional Healthy Year |
| England | £35,620 |
| Scotland | £32,195 |
| Northern Ireland | £29,569 |
| Wales | £25,859 |
| Ireland | £84,917 |
Regional Variations
The report also identifies considerable differences within individual countries.
For example, the estimated economic value of an additional healthy year reaches £60,930 in London, compared with £20,590 in Northumberland.
What Could Extend Healthy Life Expectancy in the UK?
The report identifies several lifestyle factors, including smoking, as important influences on longevity.
It points to Sweden’s tobacco harm reduction approach, which combines higher taxation of cigarettes with the availability of alternative nicotine products such as snus and nicotine pouches.
Dr Sanandaji argues that reducing smoking-related harm could contribute to longer, healthier lives, potentially supporting wider economic benefits.
Read the full report for more insights into the economic value of healthy ageing, as well as longevity trends across Europe.
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