Data · Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy
How long people live — and how many of them reach old age — is the mortality counterpart to fertility and migration.
Life expectancy at birth measures the average number of years a newborn would live under current mortality conditions. It is reported separately for males and females because women consistently outlive men in almost every population.
Infant mortality (deaths before age 1) and under-five mortality capture the survival of the youngest, and are among the most sensitive indicators of a society's health systems.
Life expectancy by region
| Region | Total | Male | Female | Infant mort. | Under-5 mort. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 63 | 61 | 65 | 45 | 65 |
| Europe | 79 | 76 | 82 | 4 | 5 |
| Asia | 75 | 72.5 | 77.5 | 18 | 22 |
| Northern America | 79 | 76.5 | 81.5 | 5 | 6 |
| Central & South America | 75 | 72 | 78 | 12 | 15 |
| Middle East / Western Asia | 74 | 72 | 76 | 15 | 18 |
| Oceania | 78 | 76 | 80 | 10 | 12 |
Source hierarchy
- UN World Population Prospects — mortality indicators (life expectancy, infant and under-five mortality).
- WHO Global Health Observatory — healthy life expectancy and cause-specific mortality.
- National statistics offices and health ministries — most recent national figures.