Over the last century, global life expectancy has seen significant changes, reflecting advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and living standards, as well as setbacks due to events like pandemics. Here are key statistics illustrating this trend:
Historical Life Expectancy Changes
- 1900: The global average life expectancy was approximately 32 years[4].
- 1960: By this year, the average life expectancy had risen to 52.5 years[5].
- 2000: Life expectancy increased further to 66.8 years[1].
- 2019: The global average reached 73.1 years, marking an increase of over 6 years since 2000[1].
- 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline, with life expectancy dropping to 72.5 years, reverting to 2016 levels[1].
- 2021: Life expectancy further declined to 71.4 years, reflecting continued impacts from the pandemic[1].
Regional Variations
- United States:
- In 1920, life expectancy was 53.6 years for men and 54.6 years for women[3].
- By 2020, it increased to 78.9 years[2].
- UK:
- In 1841, life expectancy was around 40 years for men and 42 years for women. By 2016, it had risen to 79 years for men and 83 years for women[5].
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy
- Child Mortality: A significant reduction in child mortality rates has contributed to increased life expectancy across all age groups[4].
- Healthcare Advances: Improvements in medicine, public health initiatives, sanitation, and nutrition have played crucial roles in extending life[4][5].
Conclusion
Overall, global life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century, from about 32 years in 1900 to around 71 years by 2021. Despite recent setbacks due to the pandemic, the long-term trend indicates a general increase in longevity, driven by various health and social advancements.
Citations:
[1] https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-life-expectancy-and-healthy-life-expectancy
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1040079/life-expectancy-united-states-all-time/
[3] https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/100-years-ago-today-1920
[4] https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
[5] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181002-how-long-did-ancient-people-live-life-span-versus-longevity