LIFE expectancy for residents living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has fallen since the beginning of the decade, new figures show. 

The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show babies born in 2020 to 2022 are expected to live for a shorter average time than those older. 

Data shows men in BCP will live to 79.44 years old while women will live until 83.54. 

In comparison, this is shorter than the last data gathered in 2017 to 2019, which said the average life expectancy from birth for a man was 80.5 years and women was 83.7 years. 

Meanwhile, in the Dorset Council area the expectancy is 80.83 and 84.9 for men and women, respectively, and in the New Forest it is 81.91 and 85.06. 

Things that can boost life expectancy include better access to healthcare, healthier lifestyles and diets, and regular exercise. 

The average lifespan of a person is determined by changes in mortality rates across their lifetime, meaning that if rates improve, life expectancy will go back up, the ONS said. 

Julie Stanborough, ONS deputy director of health and life events, said: “Although life expectancy has fallen across all regions and constituent countries, there is a clear geographical divide when it comes to areas with the best and worst outcomes. 

“None of the 10 local areas with the highest life expectancy were located in the north of England, Wales or Northern Ireland. 

“By contrast, of the 10 local areas with the lowest life expectancy, none were in the south of England.” 

The decrease in life expectancy during 2020 to 2022 has been “predominantly driven by the coronavirus pandemic”, which led to “increased mortality in 2020 and 2021”, she added. 

One in 20 people in the BCP area say they are living with poor health, according to a recent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research. 

Areas in southern England dominate the latest list for the highest life expectancy at birth, making up the entire top 10 for both males and females. 

No areas in the south appear in the top 10 for the lowest life expectancy.