How Long Do We Live?
Explore life expectancy trends for 204+ countries from 1960 to 2023. See how longevity has changed over time, compare countries, and understand what drives the differences.
| Rank | Country | LE (Years) | Change Since 1990 | Death Rate | Region | Income Group |
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Historical estimates are approximate and based on demographic reconstructions. Pre-1900 data primarily from England, France, and Sweden which have the longest continuous records. Sources: Ourworldindata.org, Human Mortality Database, Clio Infra, Riley (2005).
Global Life Expectancy Data
How long do people live around the world? Country-level data from 1990 to 2023
Life expectancy at birth is one of the most widely used indicators of population health. This page presents life expectancy data for 204 countries and territories, drawn from the IHME Global Burden of Disease Study and the World Bank. Explore trends, compare countries, and understand the factors driving differences in longevity around the world.
From the dramatic gains in sub-Saharan Africa following HIV/AIDS treatment scale-up to the stagnation in some high-income countries, life expectancy trends reveal the successes and challenges of global public health. Use the interactive tools to explore how income, healthcare, and disease burden shape how long people live.
Which country has the highest life expectancy?
Japan, Hong Kong, and Switzerland consistently rank among the countries with the highest life expectancy, with figures exceeding 83 years. The Life Expectancy page lets you compare all 204 countries and see how rankings have changed since 1990.
How has global life expectancy changed since 1990?
Global life expectancy has increased from approximately 64 years in 1990 to over 73 years in 2023. The largest gains have occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, driven by reductions in communicable disease mortality and improved child survival.
What factors determine life expectancy differences between countries?
Life expectancy differences are driven by healthcare access, income levels, disease burden, nutrition, sanitation, and public health infrastructure. Countries with higher GDP per capita and universal healthcare tend to have longer life expectancies.