Global life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels while healthy years lag behind
The World Health Organization released new estimates on Friday, October 2, 2026, showing global life expectancy has nearly reached its 2019 level.
Life span recovery slows mental health gains
Average human lifespan reached 73.3 years in 2023, which is close to the figure recorded before the pandemic began. However, the number of years spent in good health remains lower than it was in 2019. The gap between total life expectancy and healthy life expectancy continues to widen according to the latest data.
Mental health conditions cause major losses
Depressive disorders and anxiety disorders together resulted in an estimated 110 million years of lost healthy life globally last year. Rates for these conditions rose significantly between 2019 and 2023, with anxiety showing the largest increase. These illnesses contribute to premature death and disability across many regions worldwide.
Noncommunicable diseases remain top killer
Illnesses that are not passed from person to person caused 74 percent of all deaths in 2023. This percentage is higher than the rate seen before the global health crisis started. The distribution of drug use disorder risks varies greatly between different parts of the world.
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