We Are No Longer Living Longer: The Wake-Up Call Europe Needed

February 21st, 2025

By Lily Anderson

Staff Writer for Wake Up World

Since 2011, the steady climb in human life expectancy across Europe has hit a wall. A groundbreaking study from the University of East Anglia (UEA), published in The Lancet Public Health, reveals a troubling truth: we’re not living longer than our parents or grandparents anymore. Instead, poor diets, physical inactivity, obesity, and the Covid plandemic are dragging us backward. England, in particular, has seen the sharpest slowdown. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a wake-up call. Let’s dive into what’s happening, why it matters, and how we can turn the tide.

The Slowdown: A Shift in Longevity Trends

For much of the 20th century, life expectancy in Europe soared thanks to advances in medicine and public health. “Advances in public health and medicine meant that life expectancy in Europe improved year after year,” says lead researcher Prof Nick Steel from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. From 1990 to 2011, fewer deaths from cardiovascular diseases and cancers fueled this rise. But around 2011, that progress stalled.

The study, drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 project, tracked life expectancy across countries like Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK. After 2011, the improvements slowed dramatically, with England facing the steepest decline. What’s driving this shift? It’s not a mystery—it’s our lifestyles.

The Culprits: Diet, Inactivity, and Obesity

The research points to a trio of preventable risks: poor diet, lack of exercise, and rising obesity. “After 2011, major risks such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol either increased or stopped improving in almost all countries,” Prof Steel explains. Even advances in cholesterol and blood pressure treatments couldn’t offset these harms. Heart disease, once a shrinking threat, has roared back as the main reason life expectancy gains have slowed.

England and the UK nations struggled the most, with diets heavy in processed foods and low in nutrients. Meanwhile, countries like Norway and Sweden held steady, thanks to smarter health policies. “We found that deaths from cardiovascular diseases were the primary driver of the reduction in life expectancy improvements between 2011-19,” Steel notes. The message is clear: what we eat and how we move—or don’t—shape how long we live.

A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Gloom

Here’s the good news: we haven’t hit a biological limit to how long humans can live. “Life expectancy for older people in many countries is still improving, showing that we have not yet reached a natural longevity ceiling,” says Steel. The real issue lies in deaths at younger ages, where risks like obesity and inactivity take their toll. This means we have room to act—and the power to change.

Countries with strong health policies offer a roadmap. For instance, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark maintained life expectancy gains thanks to efforts to tackle heart disease risks. “National policies that improved population health were linked to better resilience to future shocks,” Steel adds. In contrast, England’s weaker approach left it vulnerable, especially during Covid. It proves governments can make a difference—if they step up.

Why This Matters to You

This isn’t just about numbers on a chart. It’s about your life, your family, and your future. “These results are a cause for concern, especially here in the UK, but also some hope,” says Prof John Newton from the University of Exeter. The slowdown signals a need for urgency, but it also shows that addressing root causes—like poor diet—can work. Sarah Price from NHS England agrees: “The slowdown in life expectancy improvements highlights the urgent need for stronger action on the root causes—poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity.”

Imagine a world where we don’t just survive but thrive into old age. That’s still possible—but it starts now, not later.

Actionable Steps to Reclaim Your Longevity

You don’t have to wait for governments to act. Here’s how you can take charge of your health today:

• Eat Smarter: Swap processed snacks for whole foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. Small changes, like cutting sugar, can lower heart disease risks.
• Move More: Aim for 30 minutes of activity most days—walking, dancing, anything that gets your heart pumping. It’s a simple way to fight inactivity.
• Track Your Weight: Obesity is a silent thief of years. Check-in with your body regularly and seek support if needed.
• Push for Change: Advocate for better food options in your community. Policies matter, and your voice can shape them.
• Start Young: Healthy habits in your 20s and 30s pay off decades later. Don’t wait for a health scare to act.

The study’s call is loud and clear: prioritize health now to extend your later years. Europe’s slowdown isn’t fate—it’s a challenge. By making smarter choices and demanding bold action, we can rewrite the story of our lifespans. Let’s not just live—let’s live well.

Journal Reference:

• Changing life expectancy in European countries 1990–2021: a subanalysis of causes and risk factors from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Public Health, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00009-X

About the Author

Lily Anderson is an enthusiastic writer and curious investigator of the latest scientific developments. Driven by a strong desire to learn, she has a knack for simplifying complex concepts into engaging stories, making science accessible and interesting to a broad audience. Lily’s work is important for connecting specialists with the general public, sparking wonder, and fostering meaningful conversations about new scientific discoveries.