Question map
During the mid 19th century Industrial Revolution, the average life span of workers in Manchester was
Explanation
During the mid-19th century, the Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization and appalling living conditions in northern manufacturing hubs like Manchester. Official reports and historical data from 1842 highlight a stark disparity in life expectancy based on social class and geography. While members of the gentry or professional classes could expect to live significantly longer, the average life span for a worker in Manchester was recorded as only 17 years . This low figure was largely driven by high infant mortality rates, where approximately 57% of children from poor families in Manchester died before reaching the age of five [3]. In contrast, workers in rural areas like Rutland had a higher life expectancy of 38 years, illustrating the 'malign contribution' of industrial cities to national mortality rates during the period of 1820–1860 [1].
Sources
- [3] https://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/mortalitymanchester/