Global life expectancy rebounds near pre-COVID-19 level at 73.3 years —WHO

Global life expectancy has climbed to 73.3 years, nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organization's latest report. The WHO released these findings in its Global Health Estimates, published on October 2, 2026, tracking health changes from 2000 to 2023. Life expectancy in 2023 was slightly below the pre-pandemic figure, but improvements in years lived in good health have lagged behind.

Dr. Alain Labrique, Director of WHO's Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics, and AI, noted that while life expectancy recovered, the disease burden is shifting towards noncommunicable diseases. These diseases, which include heart disease, diabetes, and dementia, accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023, up from 58% in 2000.

Cardiovascular ailments, particularly ischaemic heart disease, continue to be the leading cause of death, responsible for 9.5 million deaths and 210 million disability-adjusted life years in 2023. Dementia surged from the 19th leading cause of death in 2000 to fifth place in 2023, with its prevalence tripling. The changing disease pattern is evident even in low-income countries, with communicable diseases now accounting for less than half of deaths in these regions.

WHO has warned that noncommunicable diseases could overtake other causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 without stronger prevention, diagnosis, and treatment measures. Preventive measures, such as taxing products linked to chronic disease risks and improving healthcare access, are being implemented to address this growing issue.

In Nigeria, for example, 8% of the population has diabetes, and hypertension affects 35% to 40% of adults.