Global Life Expectancy Rebounds in 2023
Global life expectancy rose again in 2023 after a pandemic-era decline, with the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) showing overall life expectancy now roughly 20 years higher than in 1950. The findings, released at the World Health Summit in Berlin, highlight both progress and persistent disparities across regions.
Women on average live longer than men, with life expectancy at 76.3 years for females and 71.5 years for males. While these figures reflect substantial gains since mid-20th century baselines, differences by geography remain stark: some high-income regions boast lifespans around 83 years, whereas sub-Saharan Africa trails at roughly 62 years.
Adolescent and Young Adult Mortality: A Cool-Headed Crisis
Amid the overall rebound, several troubling trends emerge among younger populations. In North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, deaths among people aged 20–39 rose between 2011 and 2023, driven mainly by suicide, drug overdoses, and heavy alcohol use. The study also reports rising mortality in ages 5–19 in high-income North America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe, with regional links to ongoing social pressures and, in Eastern Europe, the consequences of regional conflict.
Beyond these age-specific patterns, mental health disorders are surging globally: anxiety disorders climbed by about 63% and depressive disorders by roughly 26%. Experts note that abuse, including sexual violence and intimate partner violence, also contributes to the mental health burden, underscoring the need for comprehensive adolescent and young adult health strategies.
Non-Communicable Diseases Dominate Global Mortality
The study underscores a shift in global health: non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for nearly two-thirds of deaths and disability worldwide. Ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are at the forefront. Because many low- and middle-income countries face limited access to diagnosis and treatment, premature NCD deaths remain disproportionately high in these regions.
Environmental and lifestyle risks compound NCD challenges. Air pollution and heat stress are increasing health risks in parts of South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East. Lead exposure, surprisingly elevated in the current era despite unleaded gasoline, is also contributing to cardiovascular and other health problems. The result is a global call to action: cut risk factors such as high blood sugar and obesity to prevent deaths and disabilities before they occur.
Environmental Risks and the Path Forward
The GBD highlights climate-sensitive risks as critical accelerants of disease. Particulate matter pollution elevates risks for heart disease, lung disease, and cancer, with regional hotspots in South Asia and Africa. Rising temperatures further threaten health, particularly in the Sahel and adjacent regions facing heat, drought, and food insecurity. Policy makers are urged to address these intertwined risks through multisectoral action, including cleaner air, nutrition, and urban planning that protects vulnerable populations.
Funding, Aid, and Local Health System Strengthening
IHME experts warn that recent cuts in international aid could jeopardize decades of progress against infectious disease and health inequities. Sustained funding for primary care, vaccines, and essential medicines is critical, especially in low-income regions. Public health leaders also emphasize domestic financing and capacity-building as vital for advancing women’s and children’s health, broader primary care, and universal health coverage.
As one panelist noted, every country has the capacity to do more, even amid economic constraints. The global health community must seize opportunities—such as the rollout of new HIV prevention tools like lenacapavir—to accelerate progress toward ending infectious disease threats and improving health outcomes for all ages.
Conclusion: A Mixed Picture with Hope and Responsible Action
The 2023 GBD study paints a nuanced portrait: humanity has made meaningful strides in life expectancy since the pandemic, but age-specific mortality, mental health, NCDs, and environmental risks require sustained, targeted policies. The path forward lies in integrating health initiatives with social supports, economic development, and environmental stewardship to ensure that longer lives are healthier lives for people everywhere.
