Life Expectancy at Birth (WHO)
Average number of years a newborn is expected to live under current mortality patterns (WHO data source).
Quick Reference
Unit
years
Category
Health
Metric Code
life_expectancy_who
How It's Calculated
Period life expectancy calculated using age-specific mortality rates from vital registration systems, sample surveys, and census data. Uses WHO Global Health Estimates methodology which adjusts for underreporting of deaths and incompleteness of vital statistics. Represents average lifespan if current age-specific mortality rates remain constant throughout the cohort's lifetime.
Why It Matters
Life expectancy is the most comprehensive summary measure of population health, reflecting cumulative effects of healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, education, economic development, and public health interventions. It is a key component of the Human Development Index and enables cross-country comparisons of overall health system performance. Increases in life expectancy indicate development progress; stagnation or declines signal health crises (HIV/AIDS, conflict, opioid epidemics).
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 55 years (health crises - conflict zones, HIV/AIDS epidemics - Central African Republic 54, Nigeria 55) Low: 55-65 years (major health challenges - sub-Saharan Africa average 61) Moderate: 65-75 years (developing countries - India 70, Egypt 72, Vietnam 74) High: 75-80 years (developed countries - China 78, US 77, Brazil 76) Very High: > 80 years (highest longevity - Japan 85, Switzerland 84, Singapore 84, Australia 83) Global average: 73 years (2023) Gender gap: Women live 4-7 years longer globally Inequality: 30+ year gap between highest (Japan) and lowest (CAR) Note: WHO figures may differ slightly from World Bank due to methodology - WHO adjusts for incomplete vital registration, World Bank uses country-reported data with less adjustment.
Related Metrics
Life Expectancy at Birth
Average number of years a newborn is expected to live under current mortality patterns.
Maternal Mortality Ratio (WHO)
Number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of delivery (WHO data source).
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 (WHO Global Health Estimates) Source: WHO Global Health Observatory Limitations: Based on current mortality rates, not predictive (actual lifespans affected by future medical advances, pandemics, climate change). Data quality varies - high-income countries have complete vital registration, low-income rely on models and sample surveys with wider uncertainty. COVID-19 pandemic caused temporary 1-3 year drops globally (2020-2021). Does not capture healthy life expectancy (years lived in good health) or morbidity.