GENEVA, 5 October 2026 — Global life expectancy has recovered to almost its pre-COVID-19 level, according to the World Health Organization’s latest Global Health Estimates, which track health outcomes and disease burdens across countries and regions.
WHO reported that average life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, close to the 73.4 years recorded in 2019 before the pandemic disrupted health systems and contributed to millions of deaths worldwide.
The recovery in years lived in good health has been slower. Healthy life expectancy stood at 62.8 years in 2023, still 0.4 years below its 2019 level, showing that longer lives do not automatically mean healthier lives.
The estimates cover changes between 2000 and 2023, including causes of death, disability and disease burden. They show a global health landscape increasingly shaped by chronic, noncommunicable diseases.
Heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and dementia account for a growing share of mortality, even as many countries continue to confront infectious diseases and unequal access to essential care.
WHO said the data should help governments set priorities, strengthen health systems and target preventable causes of illness and premature death. The gap between total and healthy life expectancy also reinforces the importance of prevention and long-term care.
The main figures were checked against WHO’s official release and data portal, as well as independent reporting by Anadolu Agency and other international outlets published after the report’s release.
References
- World Health Organization — New estimates show changing global health landscape, 2 October 2026
- WHO Global Health Observatory — Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy
- Anadolu Agency — Global life expectancy nears pre-pandemic level
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