Global life expectancy at birth has risen significantly since the mid-1900s, from roughly 46 years in 1950 to 73.2 years in 2023. Post-COVID-19 projections There was a drop of 1.7 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2019 and 2021, however, figures resumed upon their previous trajectory the following year due to the implementation of vaccination campaigns and the lower severity of later strains of the virus. By the end of the century it is believed that global life expectancy from birth will reach 82 years, although growth will slow in the coming decades as many of the more-populous Asian countries reach demographic maturity. However, there is still expected to be a wide gap between various regions at the end of the 2100s, with the Europe and North America expected to have life expectancies around 90 years, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to be in the low-70s. The Great Leap Forward While a decrease of one year during the COVID-19 pandemic may appear insignificant, this is the largest decline in life expectancy since the "Great Leap Forward" in China in 1958, which caused global life expectancy to fall by almost four years between by 1960. The "Great Leap Forward" was a series of modernizing reforms, which sought to rapidly transition China's agrarian economy into an industrial economy, but mismanagement led to tens of millions of deaths through famine and disease.

A global phenomenon, known as the demographic transition, has seen life expectancy from birth increase rapidly over the past two centuries. In pre-industrial societies, the average life expectancy was around 24 years, and it is believed that this was the case throughout most of history, and in all regions. The demographic transition then began in the industrial societies of Europe, North America, and the West Pacific around the turn of the 19th century, and life expectancy rose accordingly. Latin America was the next region to follow, before Africa and most Asian populations saw their life expectancy rise throughout the 20th century.

China life expectancy for 2025 is 77.81, a 0.22% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>China life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>77.64</strong>, a <strong>0.22% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>China life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>77.47</strong>, a <strong>0.22% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>China life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>77.30</strong>, a <strong>0.22% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Africa life expectancy for 2025 is 64.64, a 0.41% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Africa life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>64.38</strong>, a <strong>0.41% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Africa life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>64.11</strong>, a <strong>0.45% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Africa life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>63.82</strong>, a <strong>0.46% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

In 2024, the average life expectancy in the world was 71 years for men and 76 years for women. The lowest life expectancies were found in Africa, while Oceania and Europe had the highest. What is life expectancy?Life expectancy is defined as a statistical measure of how long a person may live, based on demographic factors such as gender, current age, and most importantly the year of their birth. The most commonly used measure of life expectancy is life expectancy at birth or at age zero. The calculation is based on the assumption that mortality rates at each age were to remain constant in the future. Life expectancy has changed drastically over time, especially during the past 200 years. In the early 20th century, the average life expectancy at birth in the developed world stood at 31 years. It has grown to an average of 70 and 75 years for males and females respectively, and is expected to keep on growing with advances in medical treatment and living standards continuing. Highest and lowest life expectancy worldwide Life expectancy still varies greatly between different regions and countries of the world. The biggest impact on life expectancy is the quality of public health, medical care, and diet. As of 2022, the countries with the highest life expectancy were Japan, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Australia, all at 84–83 years. Most of the countries with the lowest life expectancy are mostly African countries. The ranking was led by the Chad, Nigeria, and Lesotho with 53–54 years.

Life expectancy at birth, female (years) in United States was reported at 81.1 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Life expectancy at birth, female (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Portugal life expectancy for 2025 is 82.95, a 0.18% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Portugal life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>82.80</strong>, a <strong>0.63% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Portugal life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>82.28</strong>, a <strong>0.79% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Portugal life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>81.63</strong>, a <strong>0.31% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Monaco had the highest life expectancy among both men and women worldwide as of 2024. That year, life expectancy for men and women was ** and ** years, respectively. The East Asian countries and regions, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Macao, followed. Many of the countries on the list are struggling with aging populations and a declining workforce as more people enter retirement age compared to people entering employment.

Spain life expectancy for 2025 is 84.25, a 0.15% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Spain life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>84.12</strong>, a <strong>0.28% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Spain life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>83.88</strong>, a <strong>0.9% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Spain life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>83.13</strong>, a <strong>0.05% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Vietnam life expectancy for 2025 is 76.04, a 0.18% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Vietnam life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>75.91</strong>, a <strong>0.18% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Vietnam life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>75.77</strong>, a <strong>0.13% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Vietnam life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>75.67</strong>, a <strong>0.13% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Life expectancy at birth, female (years) in Ireland was reported at 84.5 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ireland - Life expectancy at birth, female (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Life expectancy at birth, male (years) in India was reported at 70.52 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Life expectancy at birth, male (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Poland life expectancy for 2025 is 79.60, a 0.21% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Poland life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>79.43</strong>, a <strong>0.21% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Poland life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>79.27</strong>, a <strong>0.2% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Poland life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>79.11</strong>, a <strong>0.21% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Life expectancy at birth, male (years) in Ukraine was reported at 66.9 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ukraine - Life expectancy at birth, male (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Key information about Australia Life Expectancy at Birth

• Australia Life Expectancy at Birth was reported at 83.200 Year in Dec 2022.
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 83.300 Year for Dec 2021.
• Australia Life Expectancy at Birth data is updated yearly, averaging 77.276 Year from Dec 1960 to 2022, with 63 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 83.300 Year in 2021 and a record low of 70.817 Year in 1960.
• Australia Life Expectancy at Birth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank.
• The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics.

Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2022 Revision; or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics.;Weighted average;

Life expectancy at birth, male (years) in Pakistan was reported at 65.33 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Pakistan - Life expectancy at birth, male (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Life expectancy at birth, male (years) in China was reported at 75.2 years in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Life expectancy at birth, male (years) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing Oman life expectancy by year from 1950 to 2025.

In 2022, India overtook China as the world's most populous country and now has almost 1.46 billion people. China now has the second-largest population in the world, still with just over 1.4 billion inhabitants, however, its population went into decline in 2023. Global population As of 2025, the world's population stands at almost 8.2 billion people and is expected to reach around 10.3 billion people in the 2080s, when it will then go into decline. Due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and general living conditions, the global population continues to increase; mortality rates (particularly among infants and children) are decreasing and the median age of the world population has steadily increased for decades. As for the average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries, the gap has narrowed significantly since the mid-20th century. Asia is the most populous continent on Earth; 11 of the 20 largest countries are located there. It leads the ranking of the global population by continent by far, reporting four times as many inhabitants as Africa. The Demographic Transition The population explosion over the past two centuries is part of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. Simply put, this transition results from a drastic reduction in mortality, which then leads to a reduction in fertility, and increase in life expectancy; this interim period where death rates are low and birth rates are high is where this population explosion occurs, and population growth can remain high as the population ages. In today's most-developed countries, the transition generally began with industrialization in the 1800s, and growth has now stabilized as birth and mortality rates have re-balanced. Across less-developed countries, the stage of this transition varies; for example, China is at a later stage than India, which accounts for the change in which country is more populous - understanding the demographic transition can help understand the reason why China's population is now going into decline. The least-developed region is Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertility rates remain close to pre-industrial levels in some countries. As these countries transition, they will undergo significant rates of population growth

Pakistan life expectancy for 2025 is 68.08, a 0.21% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Pakistan life expectancy for 2024 was <strong>67.94</strong>, a <strong>0.42% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Pakistan life expectancy for 2023 was <strong>67.65</strong>, a <strong>0.34% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Pakistan life expectancy for 2022 was <strong>67.42</strong>, a <strong>2.5% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.