Life Expectancy at Birth
Average number of years a newborn is expected to live under current mortality patterns.
Quick Reference
Unit
years
Category
Health
Metric Code
life_expectancy
How It's Calculated
Calculated using age-specific mortality rates across the entire population. Represents the average lifespan if current death rates remain constant throughout a person's lifetime. Based on period life table methodology using death registration data and census population estimates.
Why It Matters
Life expectancy is the most comprehensive measure of overall health and development. It reflects the combined impact of healthcare quality, nutrition, sanitation, education, economic conditions, and environmental factors. Rising life expectancy indicates improving living conditions and healthcare access.
Understanding the Values
Low: < 60 years (low-income countries, major health challenges) Medium: 60-70 years (lower-middle income, improving health systems) High: 70-80 years (upper-middle to high income, good healthcare) Very High: > 80 years (advanced economies, excellent healthcare) Global average: ~73 years (2023) Top performers: Japan, Switzerland, Singapore (> 84 years) Note: Women typically live 4-7 years longer than men globally.
Related Metrics
Under-5 Mortality Rate
Probability of dying between birth and age 5, expressed per 1,000 live births.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Number of maternal deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination, per 100,000 live births.
Physicians per 1,000 People
Number of medical doctors per 1,000 population, measuring healthcare workforce density.
Infant Mortality Rate
Number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: 217 countries Update frequency: Annual Sources: World Bank (primary), WHO Global Health Observatory Limitations: Quality depends on civil registration completeness. Some countries use model-based estimates rather than direct measurements. Does not capture quality of life or healthy life expectancy.