---
title: "Global life expectancy nears pre-pandemic levels, WHO reports"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/health/global-life-expectancy-nears-pre-pandemic-levels-who-reports"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/global-life-expectancy-nears-pre-pandemic-levels-who-reports"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/global-life-expectancy-nears-pre-pandemic-levels-who-reports.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/global-life-expectancy-nears-pre-pandemic-levels-who-reports"
category: "Health"
published: "2026-10-02T14:46:02.265Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-02T14:49:15.990Z"
updated: "2026-10-02T14:46:02.265Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-02T15:45:40.144229+00:00"
---

# Global life expectancy nears pre-pandemic levels, WHO reports

*Years lived in good health lag behind, with non-communicable diseases causing most deaths.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the WHO, and two full reports are provided.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, with specific figures and dates provided.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, nearing the 73.4 years recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Life expectancy in good health was 62.8 years in 2023, 0.4 years below the 2019 level.
- Non-communicable diseases accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023, an increase from 58% in 2000.
- The Americas region saw the largest increases in mortality risk between 2000 and 2023.

Global life expectancy has almost returned to its pre-Covid-19 pandemic level, according to the World Health Organization's latest global data. In 2023, life expectancy at birth reached 73.3 years, a slight decrease from the 73.4 years recorded in 2019. The pandemic had caused a dip to 71.5 years in 2021.

However, the recovery in years lived in good health has been slower. In 2023, life expectancy in good health stood at 62.8 years, which is 0.4 years less than in 2019. Dr. Alain Labrique, director of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI at WHO, stated that while living longer is a public health achievement, the next challenge is ensuring these additional years are spent in good health and adapting health systems to changing population needs.

The data also highlights a significant shift in the causes of death. Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and Alzheimer's, accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023. This is a substantial increase from 58% in 2000. The Americas region experienced the greatest rise in mortality risk and loss of healthy life years between 2000 and 2023, while the Western Pacific region saw a considerable decrease.

## Disagreement on healthy life expectancy figures

While most reports agree that life expectancy in good health was 62.8 years in 2023 and 0.4 years below the 2019 level, one report states the figure was 71.4 years in 2021 due to the pandemic. Another report mentions that cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death globally.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific figure of 71.5 years that global life expectancy dropped to in 2021. The right-rated reports do not mention the Americas region seeing the largest increases in mortality risk between 2000 and 2023, a detail present in left and centre-rated reports.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 21% (4)
- Centre: 53% (10)
- Right: 26% (5)

21 of 40 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-02T15:45:40.144229+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-02T16:00:27.525Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Reports from the left-rated outlets focused on the near-recovery of global life expectancy to pre-pandemic levels, citing the 73.3 years figure for 2023. They also highlighted that life expectancy in good health is recovering more slowly, with one report noting it remains 0.4 years below the 2019 level. The increasing proportion of deaths from non-communicable diseases, reaching 74% in 2023, was also a key point. The left-rated reports mentioned the Americas region saw the largest increases in mortality risk and loss of healthy life years between 2000 and 2023.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports led with the news that global life expectancy has almost returned to pre-Covid-19 levels, with the 2023 figure of 73.3 years being close to the 2019 mark. They also stressed that the recovery in years lived in good health is slower, reaching 62.8 years in 2023, 0.4 years below 2019. These reports noted the rise in non-communicable diseases as a cause of death, accounting for 74% in 2023, and mentioned the Americas region's increased mortality risk. Some centre-rated reports also included a quote from Dr. Alain Labrique of the WHO about the challenge of ensuring additional years are lived in good health.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted that global life expectancy is nearing its pre-pandemic level, with the 2023 figure of 73.3 years mentioned. They also noted that healthy years are lagging behind this recovery. One report mentioned that anxiety disorders linked to healthy life loss increased by nearly 45% since 2019, while depressive disorders saw around a 20% jump.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 4
- high: 8
- unknown: 21
- veryHigh: 7

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Channels Television](https://channelstv.com/2026/10/02/life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-levels-says-who) — Life Expectancy Almost Back To Pre-Covid Levels, Says WHO
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/health/global-life-expectancy-nears-pre-pandemic-level-but-healthy-years-lag-behind-who/4076085) — Global life expectancy nears pre-pandemic level, but healthy years lag behind: WHO
- [veridica.ro](https://veridica.ro/stiri/speranta-de-viata-la-nivel-mondial-a-revenit-la-nivelurile-anterioare-pandemiei-de-covid19) — Global Life Expectancy Has Returned to Pre-Cow Pandemic Levels19
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/02/life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-levels-says-who) — Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
- [Gândul](https://gandul.ro/sanatate/speranta-de-viata-la-nivel-global-revine-la-nivelul-de-dinaintea-pandemiei-care-sunt-acum-principalii-factori-de-deces-21023842) — Life Expectancy Has Returned Close to Pre-COVID Level: What the New WHO Report Shows
- [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/speranta-de-viata-a-revenit-aproape-la-nivelul-de-dinaintea-pandemiei-de-covid-la-nivel-mondial-2365073) — Life Expectancy Has Returned Almost to the Level Before the Covid Pandemic Worldwide - HotNews.ro
- [focoinformativo.site](https://focoinformativo.site/la-esperanza-de-vida-mundial-recupera-casi-el-nivel-previo-al-covid-19-segun-la-oms) — World Life Expectancy Recovers Almost the Level Prior to COVID-19, According to WHO - Information Focus
- [expreso.ec](https://expreso.ec/buenavida/esperanza-vida-mundial-vuelve-acercarse-niveles-covid-19-oms-297875.html) — World Life Expectancy Is Approaching Levels Before Covid-19, According to WHO
- [PSnews](https://psnews.ro/speranta-de-viata-a-revenit-aproape-la-nivelul-de-dinaintea-pandemiei-de-covid-la-nivel-mondial) — Life Expectancy Has Returned Almost to the Level of the World's Pre-Covid Pandemic
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-19-pandemic-levels-says-who) — Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels, says WHO
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/10/02/l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-est-presque-revenue-a-son-niveau-pre-covid-selon-l-oms_6787143_3244.html) — World Life Expectancy Has Almost Returned to Its Pre-Covid Level, According to WHO
- [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/health/life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-levels-says-who-12130408) — Life Expectancy Almost Back To Pre-Covid Levels, Says WHO
- [Vanguard News](https://vanguardngr.com/2026/10/global-life-expectancy-rises-to-73-yrs-nearing-pre-covid-level-who) — Global life expectancy rises to 73 yrs, nearing pre-Covid level
- [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20261002/vege-van-a-covid-sokknak-de-van-egy-rossz-hirunk-866994) — The Covid Shock Is over, but We Have some Bad News
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/international-news/20261002-life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-levels-says-who) — Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
- [rtl.lu](https://rtl.lu/news/international/weltwait-liewenserwaardung-bal-nees-op-stand-wei-viru-corona-1263414957) — WHO Figures: Global Life Expectancy Almost Back to Pre-Corona Level
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20261002-life-expectancy-almost-back-to-pre-covid-levels-says-who) — Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
- [vienna.at](https://vienna.at/weltweite-lebenserwartung-fast-wieder-auf-vor-corona-stand/10513994) — Worldwide Life Expectancy Almost Back at Pre-Corona Level
- [Adevarul](https://adevarul.ro/stiri-externe/in-lume/speranta-de-viata-a-revenit-la-nivelul-de-2561391.html) — Life Expectancy Has Returned to the Level Before the Covid Pandemic, Which Is the World's Average.
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/mapamond/oamenii-traiesc-din-nou-la-fel-de-mult-ca-inainte-de-pandemia-covid-dar-nu-la-fel-de-sanatos-ce-arata-noile-date-oms-3974929) — People Live Again as Long as Before the COVID Pandemic, but Not as Healthy. What the New WHO Data Shows
- [diarioestrategia.cl](https://diarioestrategia.cl/texto-diario/mostrar/6037298/esperanza-vida-mundial-recupera-cifras-prepandemia-mientras-covid-sale-principales-causas-muerte) — World Life Expectancy Recovers Prepandemic Figures While Covid Comes Out of the Main Causes of Death
- [TVN](https://tvn-2.com/mundo/esperanza-vida-mundial-recupera-nivel-covid-19-segun-la-oms_1_2263901.html) — World Life Expectancy Recovers Almost the Pre-Covid-19 Level, According to WHO
- [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/noticia/2026/10/02/expectativa-de-vida-mundial-recupera-quase-o-nivel-anterior-a-pandemia-de-covid-19-afirma-oms.ghtml) — World Life Expectancy Recovers Almost the Previous Level of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Says WHO
- [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/international/oms-speranta-de-viata-la-nivel-mondial-a-revenit-aproape-la-nivelul-de-dinaintea-pandemiei-de-covid-19.html) — WHO: Global Life Expectancy Has Returned Almost to Pre-Covide-19 Pandemic Level
- [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/esperanca-media-de-vida/organizacao-mundial-da-saude/esperanca-media-de-vida-recupera-para-niveis-pre-pandemia-doencas-cardiovasculares-continuam-a-ser-a-principal-causa-de-morte-no-mundo/20261002/6abf960fd34e9a786e75aa0f) — Average Life Expectancy Recovers to Pre-Pandemic Levels. Cardiovascular Diseases Continue to Be the Leading Cause of Death in the World
- [Le Temps](https://letemps.ch/sciences/sante/l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-retrouve-son-niveau-d-avant-covid-mais-les-annees-en-bonne-sante-stagnent) — World Life Expectancy Returns to Its Pre-Covid Level, but Healthy Years Stagnate
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/la-esperanza-de-vida-global-vuelve-al-nivel-anterior-a-la-pandemia-y-se-situa-en-734-anos) — Global Life Expectancy Returns to the Pre-Pandemic Level and Stands at 73.4 Years
- [estrepublicain.fr](https://estrepublicain.fr/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [bienpublic.com](https://bienpublic.com/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [republicain-lorrain.fr](https://republicain-lorrain.fr/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [leprogres.fr](https://leprogres.fr/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [vosgesmatin.fr](https://vosgesmatin.fr/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [lalsace.fr](https://lalsace.fr/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [lejsl.com](https://lejsl.com/sante/2026/10/02/apres-le-choc-du-covid-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-repart-a-la-hausse-selon-l-oms) — Health. After the Shock of the Covid, Global Life Expectancy Is Rising Again, According to WHO
- [Sud Ouest](https://sudouest.fr/sante/sante-l-esperance-de-vie-mondiale-est-presque-revenue-a-son-niveau-d-avant-la-pandemie-de-covid-19-30884529.php) — Health: Global Life Expectancy Almost Returned to Its Level Before the Covid-19 Pandemic
- [20minutos](https://20minutos.es/salud/esperanza-vida-global-se-recupera-tras-pandemia-vivimos-media-73-3-anos_7044169_0.html) — Global Life Expectancy Recovers After the Pandemic: We Live on Average 73.3 Years
- [udgtv](https://udgtv.com/noticias/esperanza-de-vida-global-vuelve-al-nivel-anterior-pandemia/333352) — Global Life Expectancy Returns to the Pre-Pandemic Level and Stands at 73.4 Years
- [Jovem Pan News](https://jovempan.com.br/mundo/expectativa-de-vida-recupera-quase-o-nivel-anterior-a-pandemia-de-covid-diz-oms) — Life Expectancy Recovers Almost the Previous Level of the Covid Pandemic, Says WHO
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/esperanza-vida-mundial-recupera-nivel-previo-covid-19-oms-20261002-836509.html) — World Life Expectancy Recovers Almost the Pre-Covid-19 Level: WHO
- [quotidianosanita.it](https://quotidianosanita.it/scienza-e-farmaci/salute-globale-oms-aspettativa-di-vita-torna-ai-livelli-pre-covid-ma-cresce-il-peso-delle-malattie-non-trasmissibili) — Global Health. Oms: Life Expectancy Returns to Pre-Covid Levels, but the Weight of Non-Communicable Diseases Grows

## Questions

**What is the current global life expectancy?**

Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023. This figure is very close to the 73.4 years recorded in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

**How has life expectancy in good health changed?**

Life expectancy in good health reached 62.8 years in 2023. This is 0.4 years less than the level recorded in 2019, indicating a slower recovery in this area compared to overall life expectancy.

**What are the main causes of death globally?**

Non-communicable diseases accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023, a significant increase from 58% in 2000. These include conditions like cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.

**Which region saw the largest increase in mortality risk?**

The Americas region experienced the largest increases in mortality risk and the loss of healthy life years between 2000 and 2023, according to the WHO data.

---

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