It’s always quite sobering to read through the statistics on the mortality rate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That said, it’s also very informative.
525,000 deaths were registered in England and Wales last year. It was a decrease on the previous year of 0.9%. 2015 saw a spike in the mortality rate, which has been attributed by many to failures in elderly care, a virulent flu virus and an ineffective vaccination that year.
Although we have seen a decrease measured against 2015, it is worth bearing in mind that 2015 saw the biggest increase in deaths for 47 years. If we were to compare last year’s figures with 2014 or any of the previous ten years, the trend would remain upward.
It’s important though to consider when looking at these figures, that we are living longer and the population is increasing, so over time we can expect the death rate will increase. If you take into account a larger and older population, the percentage of the population dying is decreasing and this is also a trend we have seen over the years.
It’s fair to say we are generally healthier, have better lifestyles and better access to improved medical treatment. Cancer remains the most common broad cause of death at 28.5%, followed by circulatory diseases (e.g. heart disease and stroke) at 25.5%. Respiratory diseases (e.g. flu, pneumonia and asthma) in third place at 13.8% decreased slightly.
There were more than 20,000 deaths relating to things such as accidents and assaults, which can happen quite unexpectedly at any age – making it all the more important for anyone over 18 with any assets, children or loved ones to make a Will – and to put in place Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Overall, men fared less favourably, with a slight increase (0.2%) in the number of male deaths compared to women, who saw a decrease of 1.9%. There were fewer deaths for those aged 75, however the death rate for 65-74-year-olds increased on the previous year.
What is very significant is that the number of deaths for those aged from 20-years up to 64 has increased (with the exception of those aged 35 to 39). In particular, 30-34-year-olds saw an increased death rate of 7.2%, and this was particularly evident for women.
It remains true that if you live in the North East of England you have a higher risk of dying than if you live in London, where the death rate is lowest. Many of us can expect to live a long life, but these figures show that we can’t be complacent about it. It’s never too early to plan for the future and prepare your Will.
Heir Tight Wills helps clients put in place robust provisions and valid documents, to protect their loved ones and their assets both during their lifetime and after their death. For a FREE Consultation to discuss writing or updating your Will & estate planning provisions, contact Rachael Rodgers on 0845 519 7585, or CONTACT US via email.
