WHO Reports Global Life Expectancy Reaches 73.3 Years
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that global life expectancy has rebounded to 73.3 years, almost reaching pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, as disclosed in its latest Global Health Estimates released on October 2, 2026. The estimates cover global health changes from 2000 to 2023, including life expectancy and major causes of death.
Despite the recovery in life expectancy, the increase in years lived in good health has been slower. Dr Alain Labrique, Director of WHO’s Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI, noted that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, a significant rise from 58% in 2000.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, with ischaemic heart disease alone responsible for approximately 9.5 million deaths. The WHO warned that NCDs could surpass communicable diseases as the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 if preventive measures are not strengthened.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Nairametrics. Read the original report below.
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