MixedUpdated 4 October 2026
Trend summary
- The death rate in England and Wales fell to a record low in 2025, but healthy life expectancy is the lowest on record.
- Measles and whooping cough have returned: the UK has lost its measles-elimination status.
RisingInfectious disease
2,911 measles cases in England in 2024 and a record 14,879 whooping cough cases.
MixedChronic disease
Dementia is the leading cause of death; cancer death rates at a record low.
How this page is built. Figures come from the official statistical releases linked above; where agencies publish provisional numbers we say so, because they are revised. UK statistics are often published separately for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so we say which area each figure covers. Photos are public-domain, Creative Commons or Open Government Licence images credited in each caption; file photos are illustrative and are not from the events described unless the caption says so. This page tracks trends and is not personal safety, medical, legal or financial advice.