Life expectancy worldwide by development level 2023

In 2023, the average life expectancy for those born in more developed countries was 75 years for men and 82 years for women. On the other hand, the respective numbers for men and women born in the least developed countries were 63 and 67 years.

Improved health care has lead to higher life expectancy

Life expectancy is the measure of how long a person is expected to live. Life expectancy varies worldwide and involves many factors such as diet, gender, and environment. As medical care has improved over the years, life expectancy has increased worldwide. Introduction to health care such as vaccines has significantly improved the lives of millions of people worldwide. The average worldwide life expectancy at birth has steadily increased since 2007, but dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Life expectancy worldwide

More developed countries tend to have higher life expectancies, for a multitude of reasons. Health care infrastructure and quality of life tend to be higher in more developed countries, as is access to clean water and food. Africa was the continent that had the lowest life expectancy for both men and women in 2023, while Oceania had the highest for men and Europe and Oceania had the highest for women.

Average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries for those born in 2023, by gender (in years)

Characteristic	Men	Women
More Developed Countries	75	81
Less Developed Countries	69	73
Least Developed Countries	63	67
Total	70	75

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Release date

December 2023

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Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2023

Supplementary notes

*Average life expectancy of a newborn according to the current mortality rate.

**According to the United Nations, the industrial countries include Europe, North America, Australia, japan and New Zealand. All other countries and regions are defined as developing countries.

According to the source the data from the above statistic originates from official statistical yearbooks and bulletins of the particular country. Moreover, publications of the United Nations, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Population Division) of the UN and the U.S. Census Bureau serve as data sources. Further sources are recent demographic studies, special studies and direct interviews with demographers and inquiries at statistical offices of the U.S. and other countries.

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