The study aimed to estimate the value of the change in health in Sweden 1980/81 to 1996/97. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for men and women at specific ages were estimated for 1980/81, 1988/89 and 1996/97, by combining survival rates and health state scores. Data from the Swedish Survey of Living Conditions (n = 39,966) were used to estimate age-specific health state scores. Responses to selected survey questions were mapped into the EQ-5D measure, using the UK EQ-5D index tariff to derive health state scores. The monetary value of a QALY was assumed to be 100,000 dollars. Life expectancy for infants increased by 3.68 years for males and 2.70 years for females between 1980/81 and 1996/97. Average health status decreased in younger age groups whereas it increased in older age groups. Expected QALYs for infants increased by 2.64 for males and 0.54 for females. With 3% discounting the gain was 0.11 QALYs (11,000 dollars) among males and a loss by 0.58 QALYs (58,000 dollars) among females. The corresponding gain in discounted QALYs for a 75-year-old was 1.15 (115,000 dollars) and 0.80 (80,000 dollars), respectively. It is concluded that older persons have experienced considerable health gains whereas the health gains have been small or non-existent for younger women.