Global average life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900

We can expect to live more than twice as long as our ancestors in 1900.

As the chart shows, global average life expectancy was just 32 years at the beginning of the 20th century.

This was a short life by today’s standards: in 2023, the average life expectancy had increased to 73 years. That’s 41 years longer.

This remarkable increase is due to improved living standards, like better nutrition and sanitation, and advances in healthcare, such as antibiotics and vaccines.

While large declines in child mortality have been crucial, they have not been the only reason for the increase in life expectancy; it has increased across all ages.

Read more in our article “Twice as long – life expectancy around the world” →

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