Global Life Expectancy Rises to Record Highs, But Youth Mortality Signals Emerging Crisis

Global life expectancy has reached a record high, with people now living 20 years longer than in 1950, though a concerning rise in death rates among young adults threatens to reverse progress, according to new research published today.

Analyses released Sunday by the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) show that life expectancy in 2023 was 76.3 years for women and 71.5 years for men, returning to pre-pandemic levels after a temporary dip. While COVID-19 has fallen to 20th place as a cause of death, heart disease and stroke remain the leading global killers. The study, encompassing all 204 countries and territories, reveals a broader shift away from deaths caused by infectious diseases like measles, diarrhea, and tuberculosis.

However, the research highlights a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, now accounting for two-thirds of global mortality, with increases in conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. “The rapid growth in the world’s aging population and evolving risk factors have ushered in a new era of global health challenges,” said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray. The study also points to preventable risk factors – including high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity – as contributing to roughly half of the world’s disease burden. These findings underscore the importance of preventative healthcare measures, as detailed by the World Health Organization.

Perhaps most alarming is the increase in mortality among adolescents and young adults, particularly in North America where suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related deaths are driving the trend. Deaths among those aged 5 to 19 are also rising in parts of Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers warn that cuts to international aid could exacerbate existing health inequities, potentially undoing decades of progress. Emmanuela Gakidou, a professor at IHME, stated that “decades of work to close the gap in low-income regions…are in danger of unraveling.” You can find more information about global health funding at The Global Fund.

IHME researchers are urging policymakers to expand health priorities, particularly for younger populations, and to maintain funding for vital global health programs to address these emerging challenges.