Global Life Expectancy Reaches 73.3 Years in 2023
The World Health Organization reports a recovery in global life expectancy, nearing pre-pandemic levels, but highlights ongoing health challenges.
Global life expectancy rose to 73.3 years in 2023, close to 2019 levels.
Healthy life expectancy remains lower at 62.8 years, indicating ongoing health issues.
Noncommunicable diseases are now responsible for 74% of global deaths.
In 2023, global life expectancy has reached 73.3 years, nearly matching the pre-pandemic figure of 73.4 years recorded in 2019, according to the World Health Organization's latest Global Health Estimates report. This marks a significant recovery from the decline observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw life expectancy drop to 71.5 years in 2021.
The WHO's report underscores the importance of not only living longer but also ensuring that these additional years are spent in good health. Alain Labrique, head of the WHO's data department, emphasized the need for health systems to adapt to the evolving needs of populations to maintain health standards. Despite the increase in life expectancy, healthy life expectancy has only partially recovered, standing at 62.8 years in 2023, which is still 0.4 years below the 2019 level.
The report also highlights alarming trends in health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Dementia-related deaths have tripled, and there has been a significant rise in health loss related to anxiety and depression. The WHO Region of the Americas experienced the largest increases in mortality risk and healthy life expectancy, while the Western Pacific region saw notable declines.
Of the 61 million deaths worldwide in 2023, the ten leading causes accounted for 33 million. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) dominated the list, representing eight of the ten leading causes and accounting for 74% of global deaths, a rise from 58% in 2000. Ischemic heart disease emerged as the leading cause of death, responsible for 16% of fatalities, with deaths from this condition increasing from 3.0 million in 2000 to 9.5 million in 2023.
In a notable shift, COVID-19 has dropped out of the top ten leading causes of death for the first time since the pandemic began, with direct deaths attributed to the virus falling to 900,000 in 2023, placing it as the 14th leading cause. Meanwhile, deaths from HIV and AIDS have decreased by 62% since 2020, moving from the seventh leading cause of death in 2000 to the 22nd position in 2023.
