Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that global life expectancy is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with 73.3 years recorded in 2023. This is close to the 73.4 years seen in 2019, prior to the coronavirus crisis. However, the recovery of healthy life expectancy has lagged behind, standing at 62.8 years in 2023, only 0.4 years higher than in 2019.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death worldwide, comprising 74% of all fatalities, up from 58% in 2000. Ischaemic heart disease, responsible for 16% of deaths, has seen the highest increase in mortality between 2000 and 2023. Stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease followed as the second and third leading causes of death.

Between 2000 and 2023, the WHO Americas region recorded the largest increases in mortality and healthy life loss, whereas the Western Pacific experienced substantial declines. In 2023, Covid-19 was no longer among the top 10 leading causes of death, having directly caused an estimated 900,000 deaths, moving to 14th place. However, dementia deaths have tripled, and anxiety and depression-related health loss has significantly increased since the pandemic.