Global average life expectancy has nearly returned to levels observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, though healthy life expectancy is recovering at a slower pace. This was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its annual Global Health Estimates report, according to Medical Xpress.
In 2023, global life expectancy reached 73.3 years, compared to 73.4 years in 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic. In 2021, the metric had dropped to 71.5 years.
"Living longer lives is one of public health's greatest achievements," stated Alain Labrique, Director of the Department of Data and Analytics at WHO. According to Labrique, the focus must now shift toward ensuring these additional years are lived in good health, while health systems adapt to the evolving needs of populations.
Healthy life expectancy stood at 62.8 years in 2023—0.4 years below the pre-pandemic level. Furthermore, post-pandemic health losses related to anxiety disorders and depression saw significant increases, while the number of deaths attributed to dementia tripled.
According to WHO data, approximately 61 million people died worldwide in 2023. The top ten causes of death accounted for 33 million deaths. Eight of these top ten causes were non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now represent 74% of all global deaths, up from 58% in 2000.
Ischemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, accounting for roughly 16% of all fatalities. The number of deaths from ischemic heart disease rose from 3 million in 2000 to 9.5 million in 2023.
Stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) held the second and third positions, accounting for approximately 11% and 6% of all deaths, respectively. Lower respiratory infections ranked fourth, followed by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in fifth place, which claimed approximately 2.1 million lives in 2023.
For the first time since the pandemic began, COVID-19 fell out of the top ten causes of death. Directly attributable COVID-19 deaths dropped from 9.4 million in 2021 to approximately 900,000 in 2023, placing it 14th overall.
Mortality from HIV/AIDS also continues its downward trajectory, declining by 62% since 2020. In 2023, HIV/AIDS ranked as the 22nd leading cause of death globally, down from 7th place in 2000.
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