The decline was steeper for men, with a 15% reduction compared to a 10% decrease for females, however there have been increases in the number of deaths in the last couple of years.
The figures also revealed that the three largest groups of causes of death accounted for a smaller proportion of all deaths compared to 30 years ago.
The largest groups, circulatory diseases, cancers and respiratory diseases accounted for 71% of UK deaths in 2013 compared to 87% in 1983, although they accounted for eight of ten in England and Wales.
Cancer was the most common broad disease group in 2013, having overtaken circulatory diseases in 2010.
The majority of deaths registered were in the 80+ age group, with 46% of male deaths and 63% of female deaths being people over 80. In 1983, 59% died between the ages of 60-79.
The proportion of male deaths at age 80 or over had doubled from the 1983 figure, while it increased by less than a third for women.
Deaths below the age of 60 accounted for 14% of male deaths and 9% of female deaths in 2013.
Age standardised mortality rates now stand at 1,183 deaths per 100,000 men and 865 deaths per 100,000 women.
Scotland’s figures were the highest in the United Kingdom, 1,354 deaths per 100,000 for men and for women it was 1,005 per 100,000.
This is 195 more deaths per 100,000 than England for men and 159 more deaths per 100,000 than England for women, which has the lowest rate.
