Nowadays, people are living longer than they did in the past. A hundred years ago, at the beginning of the 20th century, the average life expectancy of a human being was only 32 years. Today, it has more than doubled, with people living on average 73 years. This is good news of course, but what has caused such a dramatic change, and has this happened in every country and region on Earth?
In a nutshell, some of the key drivers are innovations in medicine and public health, as well as better living standards. This has led to a significant decrease in child mortality which is an indicator that impacts the statistics. Based on some projections, average life expectancy will continue to rise until at least the end of this century.
Source: Macrotrends
What is “Life expectancy at birth” (according to OECD)?
This term describes the number of years that, on average, a person is predicted to live. In fact, people born in a certain year will experience age-specific death rates for that particular year during their lifetime.
The measure basically forecasts the death rate for various ages during a certain time period and applies this to the whole lifetime of those born or living at that point in time. It varies greatly by age, sex, race, and geographical area.
Factors that influence life expectancy
Life expectancy involves many variables, such as economic status, housing, job, school accessibility, food insecurity, and access to high-quality healthcare.
- Health begins at home, and then continues at school, and at work, sometimes long before a person faces any illness. In addition, a low level of disease control and prevention also has its consequences.
- Individuals with stable employment can afford adequate housing, nutritious food, and access to medical care, thereby contributing to increased life expectancy.
- Due to affordable housing, families can invest in their communities and relocate less often. Moreover, children who live in stable housing are far less likely to experience health problems.
- Children who have teachers with expertise are better prepared for opportunities in higher education.
- People living in low-income countries and regions are more likely to live in conditions of violence, a polluted environment, and many other health-related risks.
Global life expectancy statistics and the United Nations’ forecasts
According to the United Nations “World Population Prospects 2024” report, life expectancy across the world hit 73.3 years, which is an 8.4-year increase compared to 1995.
In addition, the experts’ projections show that lower levels of mortality in the future could lead to an increase in average longevity around the globe, which may reach 77.4 by 2054.
However, life expectancy varies greatly by region, with some of the lowest figures registered in Western Africa and some of the highest in Western Europe.
In just over two decades from the beginning of the 21st century (2000-2024), the average life expectancy around the globe has increased from 66 years to 73 years, with some African nations registering an astonishing rise from 52 to 64 years. This has been mainly brought about by increases in the survival rates of children from 0 to 5 years old and by greater accessibility to anti-retroviral treatments for HIV/AIDS.
In addition, over the last two centuries, the number of births has constantly outpaced the number of deaths, resulting in a large growth in the global population.
Post-COVID data
For almost every country and region, life expectancy has improved since 2022 to the levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, when life expectancy at birth declined considerably from 72.6 in 2019 to 70.9 during the peak in 2020 and 2021.
Fatalities data and predictions
Experts anticipate that by the end of the 2050s, over half of all fatalities will be those of 80+ years of age, which is impressive progress compared to 1995, when just 17% of deaths occurred for people of that age.
The year 2023 registered a historical moment with the number of deaths among children under the age of five dropping below five million. Ninety-five percent of these fatalities occurred in 126 nations and regions where experts predict there will be an increase in population by 2054. This includes countries from Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, and nations from Asia ,such as India and Pakistan.
Key population trends, based on the United Nations report
Global Population Peak
- By the 2080s, experts anticipate there will be a peak in the global population to 10.3 billion but, by the end of the century, a decline to 10.2 billion is expected.
- In 63 nations and regions (home to around 28% of the global population), the population peaked before 2024.
- Between 2025–2054, a population peak will be reached in 48 nations.
Declining Fertility Rates
- In 1990, the global fertility rate was 3.3 births per woman, while the latest data indicates a decline to 2.3 births.
- Over 50% of nations register fertility rates under the replacement level of 2.1 which is the level necessary for a population to sustain itself over time without migration at a constant level.
- Despite falling fertility, the number of women aged 15–49 will propel further growth, rising from 2 births to 2.2 births by the 2050s.
Ageing Populations
- By 2080, the number of people aged 65 and older will exceed young people under 18 years of age.
- By 2035, the number of people aged over 80 will exceed the number of infants, hitting 265 million, according to data presented by the UN.
- The report notes that because women tend to live longer than men, in practically every demographic, they outnumber males at older ages.
List of countries with the longest life expectancy
If the world’s population is divided by income categories, high-income nations have the longest average life expectancy of nearly 82 years, while low-income nations have an average age of just 64 years.
Top 20 countries with the highest life expectancy (2023)
According to the latest data provided by Statista, in 2023, the combined average life expectancy for males and females in wealthy nations was 78.5 years (75 for men and 82 for women), whereas for the least developed countries this figure was much lower, namely 65 years (63 for men and 67 for women).
The World Bank data shows that out of the top 20 countries, more than half are from Europe (seven are members of the European Union), while the other half (in addition to Australia and New Zealand) is mostly from Asia.
Let’s break down the top three regions from this list.
Monaco – the country with the highest life expectancy in the world
According to statistics, men born in Monaco in 2023 will live on average 84 years, while women can expect to live until the age of 89.
This impressive longevity is no coincidence – experts identify several reasons for this nation’s exceptionally long lifespans such as the Mediterranean diet, for example, which is high in fish, fruit, and vegetables.
The nation’s excellent public healthcare system is another reason as is the fact that most people in Monaco can afford healthy lifestyles and any other wellness techniques they may need.
Monaco is also a family-friendly and religious nation where most people lead stress-free lives. As it is a small country, people focus very much on the community, and thus the elderly do not feel excluded and continue to be active following retirement.
San Marino
This tiny nation located in central Italy is Europe’s third smallest country after the Vatican City and Monaco, and its long life expectancy is the result of several factors:
- The country has a first-rate healthcare system and a high number of population involved in office-based work whereas heavy industry and labor contribute to lower life spans.
- There is a high literacy rate and easy access to high-quality education.
- Educational levels are likewise remarkable.
- San Marino’s wealthy economy is highlighted by the fact that the per capita income is far higher than in many other nations.
- When taken as a whole, these metrics demonstrate that San Marino continues to demonstrate a high degree of human development.
China, Hong Kong SAR
In this Special Administrative Region of China, estimates of life expectancy indicate that men born in 2023 will live on average for 81 years, while for women this figure is slightly higher at 87 years.
Following the Second World War, the region experienced rapid economic growth which ultimately led to an increase in life expectancy. Today, Hong Kong boasts the lowest newborn mortality rate worldwide, excellent child medical services, and outstanding job and education initiatives.
The shortest life expectancy by country
Most nations registering the lowest life expectancy are located on the African continent. Nigeria, Chad, and Lesotho are the three countries with the lowest numbers.
Top 20 countries with the lowest life expectancy ( 2023)
Let’s break down the top three nations and the key reasons behind their poor results.
Nigeria
Today, this country is the most populous in Africa and holds sixth place in the world based on this parameter, with 218 million inhabitants. This is primarily due to a high birth rate.
A Nigerian male’s life expectancy today is 54 years, while for females it is 53 years. Such a low result is caused mainly by the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and pneumonia and influenza are among other major problems causing serious health issues. Additionally, the mortality rate among children under the age of five also remains very high.
Chad
The average life expectancy in Chad is now almost identical to the global average registered in the 1960s, with males expected to live on average 51 years, and females until the age of 55. This indicates that little to no progress has been made in this country for decades, particularly in the healthcare system. The number of medical experts in Chad is extremely low. Per 100,000 inhabitants, there are 4 doctors, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the nation’s economy has been seriously damaged by natural disasters and civil war.
Lesotho
People from Lesotho regularly face various natural disasters. Moreover, the country has one of the largest epidemics of HIV/AIDS worldwide. These factors have combined to cause the average life expectancy in Lesotho to be extremely low – 50 years for men and 56 years for women.
World Health Organization’s report on poor health and low life expectancy
According to the latest report from the WHO, poor health is often caused by social factors outside the health sector such as inadequate housing, low education, and limited job opportunities.
The report’s key findings:
- On average, the life of people residing in nations with the lowest life expectancy is 33 years shorter than those in the highest, which can be seen in the graphs above.
- In poorer nations, children are 13 times more likely to die before the age of five compared to children in wealthier nations.
- 94% of maternal deaths still take place in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
The report also notes that people who are poorer or part of marginalized social groups have worse health and fewer years of good health.
The WHO warns that it is unlikely that many of the 2040 global health equity targets will be reached, which is why it is pressing for evidence-based strategies that can lower inequality and enhance everyone’s health.
Final word
Average life expectancy is steadily increasing, with individuals in developed countries enjoying longer lives compared to those in developing nations. Advances in healthcare are a significant contributing factor to longer lifespans. However, many developing nations face challenges due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and a shortage of medical professionals.
Despite high birth rates, poorer countries are grappling with serious health issues such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. This situation necessitates intervention from international organizations to address these long-standing problems which are particularly prevalent on the African continent.
