This article examines trends in mortality rates in the United Kingdom over the decade 1982 to 1992. Whilst the overall rate of mortality has declined, the extent of improvements has varied by sex, age and cause. Male mortality has improved slightly more than female mortality over the period, resulting in a narrowing of the sex differential. Analyses of mortality by age indicate that the greatest improvements have occurred in the 45 and over age group and in the year after birth with male mortality at the young adult ages actually increasing over the period. Trends in cause of death patterns over the period have also been studied, and the impact of these changes on the shape of the mortality curve described.