Which countries have the highest life expectancy? And the lowest?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) people are living longer all around the world. The organization reported that "globally, life expectancy has increased by more than 6 years between 2000 and 2019 – from 66.8 years in 2000 to 73.4 years in 2019."

However, strong disparities persist between nations. Which countries have the highest life expectancy? And the lowest? Here are the UN statistics (for women and men combined) for 2023.

@Matt Bennett / Unsplash

With a life expectancy of 87.01 years, the small principality on the Côte d'Azur ranks number 1 in the world.

It is followed by Hong Kong, which stands out with an average of 85.83 years and which exceeds China by several years.

The podium is completed by another territory located in the Chinese zone of influence: Macau, with a life expectancy of 85.51 years.

@Ray F / Unsplash

Fourth place goes to a highly populated Asian country, Japan, where life expectancy was 84.95 years in 2023.

@Alex Block / Unsplash

With an average age of death of 84.77 years, the small monarchy of Liechtenstein, stuck in the heart of the Alps between Switzerland and Austria, also has a remarkable life expectancy.

This is also the case for its Swiss neighbor, where this statistic was estimated at 84.38 years for the year 2023.

Famous for its economic dynamism, Singapore also has excellent results regarding the estimated average age of death, with an average of 84.27 years.

@Swapnil Bapat / Unsplash

A figure almost equaled by Italy, with 84.20 years. The Mediterranean climate and the quality of life renowned throughout the world undoubtedly have something to do with it!

@Andreas M / Unsplash

Opposite the Japanese archipelago, South Korea also shows very good results: life expectancy there was estimated at 84.14 years in 2023.

@Daniel Bernard / Unsplash

Last country in this top 10, Spain, with an average life expectancy of 84.05 years. Located on the northern shore of the Mediterranean, this country benefits from the same advantages as Italy for healthy aging!

With a life expectancy of 83.35 years, France comes in 20th place in the ranking. A performance that may seem average but still remains higher than that of many states in Europe and North America.

Now, let's move on to the countries with the lowest life expectancy. Chad is the country with the lowest in the world in 2023, with only 53.68 years.

@Annie Spratt / Unsplash

The total is not much higher in Nigeria, which had an average of 53.87 years for life expectancy in 2023.

An enclave located in the heart of South Africa, Lesotho has a very low life expectancy of just 54.91 years.

@Tatenda Mapigoti / Unsplash

With an estimate of 55.48 years, the Central African Republic has the fourth lowest life expectancy in the world.

A recent state resulting from partition with Sudan, South Sudan presents the similar result of 56.51 years.

Affected by armed conflicts and repeated food crises, Somalia can hardly do better, with a life expectancy of 57.35 years.

@Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir / Unsplash

Another enclave, located between South Africa and Mozambique, also suffers from insufficient life expectancy, estimated at 57.71 years in 2023.

@S'mile Vilakati / Unsplash

Further west, Namibia also remains below the 60-year threshold, with an average of 59.53 life years.

This is also the case for Guinea, a West African state in which the average lifespan is estimated at 59.55 years.

@Tim Oun / Unsplash

Marked by recurring conflicts and high food insecurity, Mali closes this list of the 10 countries with the lowest life expectancy, with an estimate of 60.03 years in 2023.