Employers are facing growing pressure from rising sickness-related inactivity as a new analysis shows people in the UK are spending fewer years in good health than a decade ago.
The decline in healthy life expectancy is leaving more workers dealing with illness during their careers, contributing to higher absence levels and long-term workforce shortages.
An analysis by the Health Foundation, an independent think tank and charity, found that both men and women are now expected to spend around two fewer years free from illness or disability compared with the early 2010s.
This deterioration contrasts with trends in most other developed countries, where healthy life expectancy has continued to improve.
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More workers affected by long-term illness
The findings help explain why a growing number of people are out of work due to ill health, with employers increasingly dealing with the impact of chronic conditions and mental health issues among staff.
Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, said the UK was falling behind comparable nations. “These findings reveal a stark truth – the UK’s health is going backwards.”
She said the consequences are already visible across society. “The lights on the dashboard are flashing red.”
The report found that in most parts of the UK, people now begin to experience illness before reaching the state pension age, meaning more employees are managing health conditions while still in work.
Impact on recruitment, retention and productivity
The problem is creating challenges for employers trying to recruit and retain staff in a tightening labour market.
More people leaving the workforce due to ill health — a record 2.8 million people, according to official figures — combined with reduced capacity among those still working, is contributing to ongoing labour shortages in several sectors.
Experts say the issue is not only affecting workforce participation but also productivity, as employees struggle with fatigue, mental health conditions and long-term illness.
Rising levels of obesity, alongside increasing rates of mental ill health and chronic disease, are among the factors driving the decline.
Regional gaps widen workforce pressures
The report also highlights significant regional differences, with workers in more deprived areas experiencing ill health earlier and for longer. This is contributing to uneven labour market outcomes, with some regions more affected by sickness-related inactivity than others.
The variation in healthy life expectancy is adding to existing challenges around skills shortages and economic participation. It comes as employers face increasing expectations to support employee wellbeing and manage long-term health conditions in the workplace.
Dr Dixon said addressing the issue will require a broader approach beyond healthcare services. “Turning the tide requires a new approach that goes far beyond patching up the NHS to tackling the root causes of poor health.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was taking steps to improve public health through measures targeting smoking and diet.
But with more workers experiencing ill health during their careers, the report suggests employers will need to play a greater role in supporting workforce health to maintain participation and productivity.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
