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Life Expectancy by Country 2024

Snapshot

  • Life expectancy, averaging a person's lifespan from birth to death, varies globally due to factors like genetics, lifestyle, and healthcare access.

  • The global life expectancy in 2023 was 70.8 years for males and 76.0 for females, with significant regional variations, from 57.7 years in Western Africa to 82.7 years in Western Europe.

  • Healthy life expectancy (HALE) is shorter than overall life expectancy, focusing on years lived in good health; for example, the U.S. had a life expectancy of 78.5 but a HALE of 66.1 years in 2019.

Life expectancy at birth reflects the overall mortality level of a population. It is the average number of years that a person may expect to live, from birth to death. Studies indicate that longevity is based on three major factors: genetics, gender, and lifestyle, which includes components such as hygiene, diet and exercise, culture, lifestyle choices (such as smoking and profession), access to quality healthcare, and even crime rates. Given country-to-country differences in many of these components, it is perhaps unsurprising that countries around the world have varying life expectancies.

According to the United Nations, the global life expectancy as of 2023 was 70.8 years for males and 76.0 years for females, for an average of 73.4 years. Life expectancies vary significantly by region as well as by country, and in 2023 ranged from a low of 57.7 years in Western Africa to a high of 82.7 years in Western Europe.

Overall, life expectancy is on the rise. Between 2000 and 2016, the average life expectancy increased by 5.5 years globally, highlighted by an increase of 10.3 years in parts of Africa. This was largely due to improvements in the survival of children aged 0-5 and expanded access to antiretroviral treatments for HIV/AIDS. Viewing the world as a whole, the number of people born each day is higher than the number of deaths per day, which has led to explosive population growth over the past 200 years.

10 Countries with the Longest Life Expectancies (United Nations 2023):

Country
UN - Both sexes
Monaco87.14
Hong Kong85.96
Macau85.65
Japan85.08
Liechtenstein84.92
Switzerland84.52
Singapore84.39
Italy84.35
South Korea84.26
Spain84.19

10 Countries with the Shortest Life Expectancies (United Nations 2023):

Country
UN - Both sexes
Nigeria54.11
Chad54.12
Lesotho55.10
Central African Republic56.10
South Sudan57.10
Somalia58.11
Ivory Coast60.30
Guinea60.71
Mali60.84
Burkina Faso61.08

As a rule, the countries with the lowest life expectancies in the world tend to be located in Africa. However, the WHO African Region has seen a massive improvement in life expectancy in recent years, registering an increase of 10.3 years between 2000 and 2016. African countries often struggle with hunger and especially with disease. Many African countries were hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and malaria has been an issue for even longer. Even diseases that are largely unheard of in other parts of the world, such as measles, cholera, and monkeypox remain an active concern in some African countries.

Fortunately, treatments for both HIV and malaria have become more widely available since 2000, and are considered the main reason Africa's life expectancy increased by more than 10 years between 2000 and 2016. While the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on African lifespans, it too was brought largely under control by late 2022. The WHO expects that health treatments across the African continent will continue to improve, further increasing life expectancy in those countries.

Life expectancy versus healthy life expectancy (HALE)

In addition to general life expectancy, some sources track healthy life expectancy (HALE), a related metric with one crucial difference. The difference between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy is hinted at by their names. Life expectancy measures the average total years in a person's life, while healthy life expectancy tracks the number of years during which an average person would consider themselves healthy.

Because of this variation in meaning, healthy life expectancy tends to be notably shorter than life expectancy, as most individuals' overall health declines at least somewhat as they approach senescence. For instance, according to the World Health Organization, the average life expectancy for residents of the United States was 78.5 years in 2019. However, healthy life expectancy in the United States during that same year was 66.1 years.

Profiles: Countries with the longest and shortest life expectancies

1. Monaco

One of the smallest countries in the world, Monaco also has the UN's longest estimated life expectancy of any country as of 2023. Males in Monaco are expected to live an average of 85.17 years, and females are expected to live an even longer 88.99 years, for an overall average of 87.01 years.

Why do Monaco's people live so long? Experts attribute the country's extra-long lifespans to multiple factors. First is the Mediterranean diet, which is high in healthy seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Second is the country's top-notch (and state-funded) healthcare system, and third is the large percentage of residents with enough disposable income to afford healthy lifestyles and any additional wellness aids they may desire.

2. Hong Kong

Technically not a sovereign nation but a Special Administrative Region of China, the United Nations estimates that Hong Kong has the second-highest life expectancy in the world as of 2023. The average life expectancy in Hong Kong is 88.66 years for females and 83.00 for males. After World War II, Hong Kong underwent rapid economic development and has since seen a steady increase in the life expectancy of its people.

Hong Kong has world-class education and employment programs, the lowest infant mortality rate in the world, and high-quality child health care. Yet, Hong Kong spends less on both health and social care as a proportion of its GDP than many other countries, including the United States or the United Kingdom.

3. Macau

Macau, the second Special Administrative Region of China, has the third-highest life expectancy of 2023 at 85.51 years. Males born in Macau can expect to live for about 82.88 years and women can expect to live approximately 88.11 years. Macau’s high life expectancy is attributed to factors including its clean environment and air, great education, easy access to health care, and strong economy.

4. Japan

Japan has 2023's fourth-highest life expectancy at roughly 87.97 years for females and 81.91 years for males, for a total average lifespan of 84.95 years. According to a 2016 study, Japan’s high life expectancy is largely attributed to diet. The Japanese have diets with lots of fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and fish, and grain-based foods (very similar to the Mediterranean diet).

Additionally, the Japanese government invested heavily in public health more than 50 years ago, which resulted in robust childhood vaccination programs and the introduction of universal health insurance, has also been credited for the high life expectancy. Japanese citizens also remain very active, even into their elderly years.

5. Liechtenstein

Another tiny European country, the micronation Liechtenstein boasts an average life expectancy of 84.95 years—83.16 years for males and 86.23 for females. Quality of life is high in Liechtenstein, which is both a high-income country and also the least-visited country in Europe. More importantly for longevity, Liechtenstein is also one of several countries that offer free health care to residents.

6. Switzerland

Switzerland’s average life expectancy is 84.38 years. Women are expected to live about 86.05 years and men are expected to live about 82.63 years. The life expectancy in Switzerland is almost double what it was at the beginning of the 20th century.

Studies point to several possible secrets to Switzerland's high life expectancy, including active lifestyles, a sense of well-being and satisfaction, and a diet consisting of lots of dairy products including cheese and dark chocolate. Switzerland also spends a higher percentage of its GDP on healthcare than any other country in the European Union, and its people have a strong cultural appreciation for preventative health and healthy aging.

7. Singapore

Singapore has the seventh-highest life expectancy in the world as of 2023, with an average lifespan of 82.13 years for males and 86.42 years for females, leading to a combined average of 84.27 years. Singapore has very low infant mortality rates, road traffic mortality rates, and deaths related to air pollution. Additionally, Singapore has a very low mortality rate for cardiovascular or chronic respiratory diseases as well as diseases related to unsafe water or lack of hygiene.

8. Italy

With the eighth-highest life expectancy of any country, Italians can expect to live 84.20 years on average. This is 86.13 years for women and 82.15 years for men. Italian life expectancy has seen small decreases in recent years, which has been attributed to roughly 8.4% of Italy’s population living in deep poverty. The northern portion of the country, which is the most economically developed, has a life expectancy of about three years higher than that of the northern, less wealthy part of the country.

9. Vatican City

The smallest country in Europe as well as the world, Vatican City is also unique in that its population is almost entirely made up of non-natives—Catholic clergymen, to be specific. Despite these unusual demographics, the population of Vatican City enjoys the ninth-longest life expectancy of any country in the world. Men in Vatican City in 2023 have an average life expectancy of 82.17 years, while females—who make up roughly 5% of the population—have a life expectancy of 86.03 years, which combine for a total life expectancy of 84.16 years.

10. South Korea

Rounding out 2023's top 10 countries with the longest life expectancy is another Asian country, South Korea, where men live an average of 80.83 years and women live an average of 87.23 years, for a combined life expectancy of 84.14 years.

South Korea's life expectancy may be the fastest-growing in the world. As recently as 1960, the average life expectancy in South Korea was roughly 52 years. However, a greater understanding of nutrition, improvements in food distribution, and better access to health and social care have enabled the country to make huge strides in terms of logevity. In fact, many experts expect South Koreans to enjoy the longest life expectancies in the world by 2030.

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Country
UN - Both sexes
UN - Female
UN - Male
WB - Both sexes
WB - Female
WB - Male
Monaco87.1489.1185.29
Hong Kong85.9688.7983.13858883
Macau85.6588.2483.02858883
Japan85.0888.1082.05848881
Liechtenstein84.9286.3883.31848683
Switzerland84.5286.1882.78848682
Singapore84.3986.5582.28838681
Italy84.3586.2782.30838581
South Korea84.2687.3680.96848781
Spain84.1986.8181.50838680
Malta83.9885.9581.98838581
Australia83.8785.7082.05838581
Andorra83.8686.1081.77
French Polynesia83.8486.2284.65798377
Sweden83.8285.3582.28838581
San Marino83.7384.9782.39
Norway83.7085.3082.10838582
Martinique83.6086.2180.60
Israel83.5385.2181.77838581
France83.4986.2080.65828679
Guadeloupe83.4886.5579.84
New Zealand83.3085.5781.25828481
Canada83.1885.0681.27838581
Gibraltar83.1884.9681.38798277
Iceland83.1084.5381.71838582
Guernsey83.1084.6981.46
Ireland83.0284.6681.39828480
Reunion82.9585.6480.15
Luxembourg82.8985.0080.84838581
Austria82.7584.8680.56818479
Netherlands82.7184.1381.25818380
Finland82.6885.1380.20828579
Belgium82.6184.6180.55828480
Portugal82.6085.2079.76818478
Slovenia82.4784.8880.07818478
United Kingdom82.4584.0980.78818379
Germany82.3484.5780.09818379
Cyprus82.2183.9480.44818379
Greece82.2084.5979.81808378
Denmark82.1884.0480.32818380
Bermuda81.9284.7778.87798376
Qatar81.9083.4081.00798178
Jersey81.6283.7979.40
Isle of Man81.4683.2579.68818379
New Caledonia81.3784.8678.00798375
Chile81.3683.5879.08798176
Maldives81.3082.2780.54808179
Bahrain80.8582.0779.85798078
United Arab Emirates80.6582.7479.22798177
Kuwait80.6383.0679.29798177
Costa Rica80.4782.8478.15778074
Wallis and Futuna80.2981.2579.30
Albania80.2782.4878.22767974
Puerto Rico80.1584.1876.07808576
Thailand80.1384.2476.02798375
Czech Republic79.9682.7077.20778174
Lebanon79.9281.6477.95757773
United States79.8982.3677.45767974
Falkland Islands79.6581.6077.81
Antigua and Barbuda79.6081.9676.91788176
Croatia79.5782.2876.80768073
Estonia79.4883.2575.42778172
Faroe Islands79.2581.0277.69838681
Oman79.1880.9677.67737571
China78.9981.6976.41788175
Turkey78.8981.8575.85767973
Poland78.7682.3975.09768072
Panama78.7481.7475.83768064
Guam78.7282.3575.29778173
Slovakia78.5281.7475.24757871
Cuba78.5080.8976.16747671
Uruguay78.3281.9474.53757972
Saudi Arabia78.2979.9377.07777976
Ecuador78.2780.8275.72747770
Mayotte78.2281.6174.95
Argentina78.1581.4074.81757972
North Macedonia78.1080.2175.94757772
Bosnia and Herzegovina78.0380.0176.01757873
Barbados78.0179.8875.98787976
Montenegro77.9580.9774.80747771
Saint Pierre and Miquelon77.9581.9574.40
Anguilla77.8381.4574.54
French Guiana77.8080.6375.13
Northern Mariana Islands77.7579.7476.13
Colombia77.7080.5774.81737669
Algeria77.5478.8976.25767875
Serbia77.5480.3974.47737670
Romania77.3380.8673.77737769
Hungary77.2580.4273.94747871
Iran77.1780.0374.50747771
Tunisia77.1680.3774.10747771
Peru77.1479.4474.88727570
Cape Verde77.1381.0872.81747870
Aruba77.0779.7774.12757772
Sri Lanka77.0080.5573.27768073
Lithuania77.0081.2872.54747970
Curacao76.9980.5573.06788275
Jordan76.8379.2574.67747772
British Virgin Islands76.7079.5673.96747772
Malaysia76.5879.1174.28757773
Armenia76.4180.4971.35727767
Brazil76.3879.4573.28737670
United States Virgin Islands76.2381.8270.95808477
Latvia76.2080.3271.83737869
Sint Maarten76.1779.4573.27747772
Montserrat76.1677.8774.79
Palestine76.1278.2373.94737671
Bulgaria75.9179.4172.50727568
Cayman Islands75.8878.4573.55828580
Mauritius75.8478.8672.92747770
Grenada75.6578.6172.90757872
Tokelau75.5976.5074.59
Cook Islands75.5379.3471.83
Ukraine75.4580.2370.19707465
Morocco75.4377.6573.33747672
Mexico75.2378.5471.96707566
Belarus75.2280.1370.03727867
Seychelles75.2179.5471.54737671
Trinidad and Tobago75.0378.4671.64737670
Nicaragua74.9877.9178.00747771
Vietnam74.9079.5670.30747869
Belize74.7978.0671.86707467
Russia74.7279.4169.70697564
Bahamas74.6378.1071.03727568
Brunei74.6176.8672.56757773
Dominican Republic74.5577.9171.42737669
Georgia74.3779.0969.39727767
Dominica74.3577.9271.11737670
Saint Lucia74.2877.8370.90717568
Bangladesh74.2776.5972.04727471
Paraguay74.2277.0971.48707367
Guatemala74.0176.7371.25697366
North Korea73.8476.4571.23737671
Azerbaijan73.7376.5370.77697366
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines73.7376.5471.30707267
Honduras73.6176.1771.15707368
El Salvador73.5877.7369.10717566
Libya73.4476.7370.41727470
Mongolia73.2077.8468.31717667
Micronesia73.1776.2270.27717567
Venezuela73.0777.4168.95717566
American Samoa73.0075.8470.22
Suriname72.9276.3869.54707467
Samoa72.9075.6770.42737670
Greenland72.8576.2270.35717372
Bhutan72.7574.7371.03727470
Syria72.6076.4268.98727569
Jamaica72.5174.7770.25717368
Philippines72.4074.4670.38697167
Saint Kitts and Nevis72.3475.9768.94727568
India72.2973.9470.75676966
Egypt72.2074.6969.79707368
Iraq72.1674.1770.01707268
Kazakhstan72.1675.9268.10707466
Kyrgyzstan71.9976.0867.85727668
Uzbekistan71.8974.5769.20717368
Moldova71.6476.2767.03697464
Cambodia71.6073.9659.03707267
Tajikistan71.5873.8669.41727470
Tonga71.5574.4468.79717468
Niue71.4573.2269.68
Western Sahara71.3973.5869.69
Indonesia71.2473.4569.07687066
Nepal71.0673.0069.13687067
Solomon Islands70.9872.6669.47707269
Vanuatu70.8973.4968.64707368
Senegal70.1772.6967.48676965
Guyana69.9573.5066.49666962
Turkmenistan69.6773.2166.15697366
Timor Leste69.5671.3767.89687066
Laos69.5471.7567.43687066
Bolivia68.9971.7066.40646761
Sao Tome and Principe68.9872.1566.20687065
Eritrea68.7370.8571.11676964
Fiji68.5970.5766.69676965
Tanzania68.1370.3765.94666864
Kiribati67.9969.7866.02676966
Myanmar67.6670.9064.56666963
Rwanda67.5669.7365.20666864
Pakistan67.4869.8965.20666964
Ethiopia67.3070.3264.43656862
Gabon67.3069.6965.19666863
Madagascar67.1669.6064.84646762
South Africa66.8769.9063.50626559
Mauritania66.8468.9064.80646663
Sudan66.4369.0363.87656863
Yemen66.3369.8963.01646761
Papua New Guinea66.2769.5063.65656863
Botswana66.2068.7463.58616459
Palau65.7269.6962.53697266
Ghana65.6467.8463.48646662
Marshall Islands65.4267.4063.75656764
Malawi65.3769.1661.59636659
Haiti65.3768.4962.36636660
Comoros65.2767.6063.12636661
Tuvalu65.2369.7561.50656961
Afghanistan65.0568.1962.07626559
Gambia64.8666.4163.31626461
Nauru64.3668.1960.83646760
Djibouti64.2666.8261.78626560
Niger64.2265.4163.07626360
Namibia64.1167.6460.38596356
Kenya64.1066.5261.74616459
Uganda64.0566.1561.80636560
Zambia63.6466.3560.86616458
Republic of the Congo63.4765.1061.87646562
Angola63.4365.9760.90626459
Burundi63.2765.3761.16626460
Mozambique62.6465.4459.73596256
Cameroon62.5164.0460.99606259
Equatorial Guinea62.4664.4960.71616359
Liberia62.2663.5960.93616259
Zimbabwe62.0864.5059.32596256
Togo62.0362.7461.32626261
Guinea Bissau61.9364.0059.74606257
Eswatini61.6465.4558.04576153
Benin61.4162.9259.90606158
Sierra Leone61.2662.6659.84606159
DR Congo61.1863.2559.15596257
Burkina Faso61.0862.9659.13596157
Mali60.8462.1359.60596058
Guinea60.7161.9359.42596058
Ivory Coast60.3061.6959.03596057
Somalia58.1160.2256.07555753
South Sudan57.1058.5755.57555653
Central African Republic56.1058.2254.05545652
Lesotho55.1081.6452.29535650
Chad54.1255.8452.45535451
Nigeria54.1154.5053.71535352
showing: 229 rows

Which country has the longest life expectancy?

Monaco has the longest life expectancy.

Where does the US rank in life expectancy?

The US is ranked 40th in life expectancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources