In India, life expectancy at the time of birth increased by 22 years between 1970 and 2019. This statistic shows the increase of the average life expectancy at birth in selected countries between 1970 and 2019.

As of 2023, the countries with the highest life expectancy included Switzerland, Japan, and Spain. As of that time, a new-born child in Switzerland could expect to live an average of 84.2 years. Around the world, females consistently have a higher average life expectancy than males, with females in Europe expected to live an average of six years longer than males on this continent. Increases in life expectancy The overall average life expectancy in OECD countries increased by 11.3 years from 1970 to 2019. The countries that saw the largest increases included Turkey, India, and South Korea. The life expectancy at birth in Turkey increased an astonishing 24.4 years over this period. The countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide as of 2022 were Chad, Lesotho, and Nigeria, where a newborn could be expected to live an average of 53 years. Life expectancy in the U.S. The life expectancy in the United States was 77.43 years as of 2022. Shockingly, the life expectancy in the United States has decreased in recent years, while it continues to increase in other similarly developed countries. The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing rates of suicide and drug overdose deaths from the opioid epidemic have been cited as reasons for this decrease.

This dataset of U.S. mortality trends since 1900 highlights the differences in age-adjusted death rates and life expectancy at birth by race and sex.

Age-adjusted death rates (deaths per 100,000) after 1998 are calculated based on the 2000 U.S. standard population. Populations used for computing death rates for 2011–2017 are postcensal estimates based on the 2010 census, estimated as of July 1, 2010. Rates for census years are based on populations enumerated in the corresponding censuses. Rates for noncensus years between 2000 and 2010 are revised using updated intercensal population estimates and may differ from rates previously published. Data on age-adjusted death rates prior to 1999 are taken from historical data (see References below).

Life expectancy data are available up to 2017. Due to changes in categories of race used in publications, data are not available for the black population consistently before 1968, and not at all before 1960. More information on historical data on age-adjusted death rates is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality/hist293.htm.

SOURCES

CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, historical data, 1900-1998 (see https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality_historical_data.htm); CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, mortality data (see http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/deaths.htm); and CDC WONDER (see http://wonder.cdc.gov).

REFERENCES

1. National Center for Health Statistics, Data Warehouse. Comparability of cause-of-death between ICD revisions. 2008. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality/comparability_icd.htm.

2. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital statistics data available. Mortality multiple cause files. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_access/vitalstatsonline.htm.

3. Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Arias E. Deaths: Final data for 2017. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 68 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_09-508.pdf.

4. Arias E, Xu JQ. United States life tables, 2017. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 68 no 7. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_07-508.pdf.

5. National Center for Health Statistics. Historical Data, 1900-1998. 2009. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality_historical_data.htm.

In 2019, Costa Rica and Chile were the Latin American countries with the highest healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth, with an average estimated healthy life span of around 70 years each. Peru and Colombia followed, where the number of healthy life years was calculated at 69.5 years and 69 years, respectively. In contrast, people born in Haiti that year were expected to live an average of less than 56 years in full health.

The countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide include the Chad, Lesotho, and Nigeria. As of 2022, people born in Chad could be expected to live only up to 53 years. This is almost 20 years shorter than the global life expectancy. Life expectancy The global life expectancy has gradually increased over the past couple decades, rising from 70.53 years in 2011 to 72.79 years in 2019. However, the years 2020 and 2021 saw a decrease in global life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, life expectancy can vary greatly depending on the country and region. For example, all the top 20 countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide are in Africa. The countries with the highest life expectancy include Liechtenstein, Japan, and Switzerland. Causes of death The countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide are all low-income or developing countries that lack health care access and treatment that more developed countries can provide. The leading causes of death in these countries therefore differ from those of middle-income and upper-income countries. The leading causes of death in low-income countries include diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, as well as preterm birth complications, which do not cause substantial death in higher income countries.

United States - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for High Income Countries was 80.88737 Number of Years in January of 2019, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for High Income Countries reached a record high of 80.88737 in January of 2019 and a record low of 68.55283 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for High Income Countries - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

Life expectancy at birth, total (years) The average expected length of a person's life based on their year and country of birth. About the Life Expectancy data ( 1 ) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2019 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: ( 2 ) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, ( 3 ) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, ( 4 ) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot ( various years ), ( 5 ) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and ( 6 ) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.Data source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN

This statistic depicts the average life expectancy at birth worldwide in 1990 and 2019, by gender. In 2019, women had an average life expectancy of 75.9 years at birth, while men were expected to live 70.8 years.

San Marino Life Expectancy at Birth data was reported at 80.880 Year in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 79.590 Year for 2020. San Marino Life Expectancy at Birth data is updated yearly, averaging 80.825 Year from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2021, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 82.990 Year in 2019 and a record low of 78.670 Year in 1990. San Marino Life Expectancy at Birth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s San Marino – Table SM.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Germany DE: Life Expectancy at Birth data was reported at 80.630 Year in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 81.150 Year for 2020. Germany DE: Life Expectancy at Birth data is updated yearly, averaging 79.425 Year from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2021, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81.560 Year in 2019 and a record low of 75.360 Year in 1990. Germany DE: Life Expectancy at Birth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: OECD Member: Annual.

As of 2022, the countries with the highest life expectancy included Liechtenstein, Japan, and Switzerland. In Japan, a person could expect to live up to around 84 years. In general, the life expectancy for females is higher than that of males, with lifestyle choices and genetics the two major determining factors of life expectancy. Life expectancy worldwide The overall life expectancy worldwide has increased since the development of modern medicine and technology. In 2011, the global life expectancy was 70.53 years. By 2019, it had increased to 72.79 years. However, the years 2020 and 2021 saw a decline in global life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, not every country has seen a substantial increase in life expectancy. In Chad, for example, the life expectancy is only 53 years, almost 20 years shorter than the global average. In addition to Chad, the countries with the shortest life expectancy include Lesotho, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic. Life expectancy in the U.S. In the United States, life expectancy at birth is currently 77.43 years. Life expectancy in the U.S. generally increases every year, however, over the past decade, life expectancy has seen some surprising decreases. The major contributing factors to this drop have been the ongoing opioid epidemic, which claimed around 81,806 lives in 2022 alone, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chart and table of India life expectancy from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

Cambodia KH: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data was reported at 69.896 Year in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 69.584 Year for 2021. Cambodia KH: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 55.793 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2022, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 70.692 Year in 2019 and a record low of 11.995 Year in 1975. Cambodia KH: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Cambodia – Table KH.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;

Egypt Vital Statistics: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data was reported at 71.200 Year in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 71.200 Year for 2018. Egypt Vital Statistics: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 67.400 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2019, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.200 Year in 2019 and a record low of 51.600 Year in 1960. Egypt Vital Statistics: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Egypt – Table EG.G009: Vital Statistics.

Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: CF: Orel Region data was reported at 77.530 Year in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 76.130 Year for 2022. Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: CF: Orel Region data is updated yearly, averaging 74.500 Year from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.670 Year in 2019 and a record low of 72.500 Year in 2004. Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: CF: Orel Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Demographic and Labour Market – Table RU.GD011: Life Expectancy at Birth: by Region.

Period life expectancy by age and sex for 1980 to 2023 for England, Wales (and combined), Scotland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the UK. Each life table is based on population estimates, births and deaths for a single year.

Data for Figures and Tables in "Bounce backs amid continued losses: Life expectancy changes since COVID-19"

cc-by Jonas Schöley, José Manuel Aburto, Ilya Kashnitsky, Maxi S. Kniffka, Luyin Zhang, Hannaliis Jaadla, Jennifer B. Dowd, and Ridhi Kashyap. "Bounce backs amid continued losses: Life expectancy changes since COVID-19".

These are CSV files of data in the figures and tables published in the paper "Bounce backs amid continued losses: Life expectancy changes since COVID-19".

50-e0diffT.csv

Figure 1: Life expectancy changes 2019/20 and 2020/21 across countries. The countries are ordered by increasing cumulative life expectancy losses since 2019. Grey dots indicate the average annual LE changes over the years 2015 through 2019.

51-arriagaT.csv

Figure 2: Age contributions to life expectancy changes since 2019 separated for 2020 and 2021. The position of the arrowhead indicates the total contribution of mortality changes in a given age group to the change in life expectancy at birth since 2019. The discontinuity in the arrow indicates those contributions separately for the years 2020 and 2021. Annual contributions can compound or reverse. The total life expectancy change from 2019 to 2021 in a given country is the sum of the arrowhead positions across age.

52-sexdiff.csv

Figure 3: Change in the female life expectancy advantage from 2019 through 2021. Blue colors indicate an increase and red colors a decrease in the female life expectancy advantage. Muted colors indicate non-significant changes.

53-e0diffcodT.csv

Figure 4: Life expectancy deficit in 2021 decomposed into contributions by age and cause of death. LE deficit is defined as observed minus expected life expectancy had pre-pandemic mortality trends continued.

55-vaxe0.csv

Figure 5: Years of life expectancy deficit during October through December 2021 contributed by ages <60 and 60+ against % of population twice vaccinated by October 1st in the respective age groups. LE deficit is defined as the counterfactual LE from a Lee-Carter mortality forecast based on death rates for the fourth quarter of the years 2015 to 2019 minus observed LE.

54-tab_arriaga.csv

Table 1: Months of life expectancy (LE) changes and deficits (labelled ES) since the start of the pandemic attributed to age-specific mortality changes (labelled AT). LE deficit is defined as observed minus expected life expectancy had pre-pandemic mortality trends continued.

This dataset presents life expectancy at birth estimates for males, females and persons. This dataset covers the reference period 2010-12 to 2017-19, and is based on Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4), according to the 2016 edition of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

For further information please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Internationally, life tables are used to measure mortality. In its simplest form, a life table is generated from age-specific death rates and the resulting values are used to measure mortality, survivorship and life expectancy. The life table depicts the mortality experience of a hypothetical group of newborn babies throughout their entire lifetime. It is based on the assumption that this group is subject to the age-specific mortality rates of the reference period. Typically this hypothetical group is 100,000 persons in size.

AURIN has spatially enabled the original data.

Chart and table of Germany life expectancy from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

Life Expectancy at Birth: SF: Volgograd Region data was reported at 73.690 Year in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 73.240 Year for 2022. Life Expectancy at Birth: SF: Volgograd Region data is updated yearly, averaging 69.550 Year from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.070 Year in 2019 and a record low of 65.900 Year in 1994. Life Expectancy at Birth: SF: Volgograd Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Demographic and Labour Market – Table RU.GD011: Life Expectancy at Birth: by Region.