Life expectancy has more than doubled over the past two centuries. In 1800, the global average life expectancy was just 29 years. Today, it exceeds 73 years. This represents one of humanity's greatest achievements.
This transformation didn't happen everywhere at once. While some countries saw rapid improvements starting in the 19th century, others only began to see significant gains in recent decades. Understanding these patterns helps us appreciate both the progress made and the challenges that remain.
Key Insight
The increase in life expectancy is not just about people living longer in old age. Much of the improvement came from dramatic reductions in child mortality and deaths from infectious diseases.
How life expectancy changed across the world
The growth in life expectancy was not uniform across the globe. Early improvements were concentrated in Western Europe and North America, beginning in the mid-19th century as these regions saw advances in sanitation, nutrition, and medical care.
The 20th century brought accelerated progress. Between 1950 and 2020, global life expectancy increased by more than 25 years. This was driven by several factors:
- The development and widespread distribution of vaccines and antibiotics
- Improvements in water quality and sanitation infrastructure
- Better nutrition and food security
- Advances in medical technology and healthcare delivery
- Public health campaigns and disease prevention programs