Men in England who were long-term unemployed or had never worked had a premature death rate 3.5 times that of men in managerial, administrative and professional occupations, new research published on Tuesday found. The Health Foundation estimated 1,069 deaths before age 75 per 100,000 men in the long-term unemployed or never-worked group, against 306 among men in higher managerial, administrative and professional jobs.

Its analysis, published on 10 November, used Office for National Statistics (ONS) data linking the 2021 census to deaths between March 2021 and December 2023. It covered adults aged 18 to 74 and counted deaths from all causes. The findings show an association, not proof that unemployment directly causes premature death.

Unemployment and Long-Term Health Conditions

After adjusting for age and other demographic and socioeconomic factors, the mortality rate remained 137% higher among men who had never worked or were long-term unemployed. Among women, the corresponding adjusted difference was 131%.

The researchers said that unemployment is associated with poorer physical and mental health, while employment can provide financial security, social connections and a sense of purpose. They also noted that illness and disability can prevent people from working, making the relationship between health and employment more complex.

Women Without Qualifications Face Greater Risk

Women with no qualifications had 564 premature deaths per 100,000, compared with 225 among women with a degree or higher, a rate 2.5 times as high. The equivalent figures for men were 818 and 345.

Women who were long-term unemployed or had never worked also had substantially higher mortality than those in higher managerial and professional occupations, at 677 compared with 205 deaths per 100,000.

The analysis examined education and occupation alongside neighbourhood deprivation rather than treating either as an isolated factor.

Read more

Deprivation Raises Risks Even for Graduates

Men living in the most deprived fifth of areas in England had 815 premature deaths per 100,000 compared with 353 in the least deprived fifth. For women, the figures were 556 and 243. Among men with degrees, mortality remained higher in deprived areas, at 556 versus 269 per 100,000.

The difference for men across the most and least deprived areas was still 79% after researchers adjusted for other measured circumstances.

Cancer and Circulatory Disease Among Avoidable Deaths

Separate ONS figures released on 2 November showed that 110,804 deaths registered in England in 2025 were considered preventable or treatable, accounting for 20.7% of deaths. Tumours were the leading category of avoidable deaths, followed by circulatory diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Avoidable mortality was between 3.3 and 3.8 times higher in the most deprived areas than the least deprived for men and women across England and Wales. This is a different measure from the Health Foundation's study, which included deaths from all causes.

Regional Differences and Prevention

The Health Foundation found the widest socioeconomic disparities in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, with smaller gaps in London. Women who were long-term unemployed or had never worked recorded 796 premature deaths per 100,000 in the North West, compared with 462 in London.

Freya Tracey, the foundation's principal data analyst, called for coordinated government action on education, employment and local economic conditions. The researchers cautioned that some groups, including people experiencing homelessness, were less likely to be fully represented in the census data.

Read more