WHO reports global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023

Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, coming within striking distance of the 73.4 years recorded in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted populations worldwide, the World Health Organization reported in its latest Global Health Estimates. The UN health agency released the findings, covering trends from 2000 to 2023, to map how health systems are evolving as chronic ailments replace infectious outbreaks as the primary driver of mortality.

Healthy Life Expectancy Lags Behind Overall Survival Rates

While overall survival rates have nearly rebounded from a pandemic low of 71.5 years in 2021, the years people can expect to live in good health are recovering at a slower pace. Healthy life expectancy stood at 62.8 years in 2023, remaining 0.4 years below pre-pandemic benchmarks. Dr Alain Labrique, Director of the WHO’s Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI, noted that while living longer is a major public health milestone, the primary challenge now centers on ensuring those additional years are free from disabling illness. Between 2000 and 2023, the WHO Americas region recorded the largest increases in mortality risk and healthy life loss, contrasted by substantial declines in the Western Pacific.

Noncommunicable Diseases Drive Seventy-Four Percent of Deaths

Noncommunicable diseases accounted for 74 percent of global deaths in 2023, a significant jump from 58 percent in 2000, according to the WHO figures. Eight of the ten leading causes of death worldwide are now noncommunicable conditions. Ischaemic heart disease remains the single largest global killer, responsible for 9.5 million deaths and 210 million disability-adjusted life years in 2023. Stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ranked second and third, accounting for roughly 11 percent and 6 percent of total deaths respectively. Lower respiratory infections represented the most deadly communicable disease, placing fourth overall.

Dementia Deaths and Mental Health Disorders Surge Globally

Chronic conditions and mental health disorders have climbed significantly in global rankings over the past two decades. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia rose to become the fifth leading cause of death in 2023, killing 2.1 million people and tripling in total deaths since 2000, when the condition ranked 19th. Meanwhile, the global age-standardized rate of healthy life lost increased by approximately 20 percent for depressive disorders and nearly 45 percent for anxiety disorders between 2019 and 2023. Together, anxiety and depression accounted for an estimated 110 million years of healthy life lost in 2023. In contrast, deaths from HIV and AIDS fell by 62 percent since 2020, dropping from the seventh leading cause of death in 2000 to 22nd place in 2023, while Covid-19 fell to the 14th leading cause with 900,000 directly attributable deaths.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Health Estimates

What was the lowest point for global life expectancy during the pandemic?

Global life expectancy dropped to 71.5 years in 2021 before recovering to 73.3 years by 2023, according to World Health Organization figures.

How many deaths were directly attributed to Covid-19 in 2023?

Covid-19 caused an estimated 900,000 directly attributable deaths in 2023, making it the 14th leading cause of death after peaking as the top killer in 2021.

Which region experienced the largest increase in mortality risk between 2000 and 2023?

The WHO Region of the Americas recorded the largest increases in risk of mortality and healthy life loss over the 23-year period, while the Western Pacific saw substantial declines.