COVID-19 pandemic erased decade of global progress on life expectancy

Editor's Note

A nearly 2-year drop in global life expectancy from 2019 to 2021 indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic effectively erased decade of progress, according to The World Health Organization’s 2024 World Health Statistics report.

According to May 24 Healio report on WHO’s findings, global life expectancy dropped by 1.8 years to 71.4—on part with 2012 levels—from 2019 to 2021. The Western Pacific Region was least affected, while Southeast Asia and the Americas saw significant declines in life expectancy.

Before the pandemic, noncommunicable diseases were the primary cause of death, accounting for 74% of all fatalities in 2019. During the pandemic, these diseases still prevailed, representing 78% of non-COVID-related deaths.

The report also highlights other pressing issues, such as health equity for migrants, refugees, and people with disabilities. It highlights the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition coexists with obesity. In 2022, more than half a billion people were underweight, while 1 billion were obese. Additionally, millions of children suffered from wasting or stunting. Approximately 1.3 billion people lived with disabilities in 2021. In many countries, healthcare access is limited for migrants and refugees.

Overall, the data underscore the urgent need for health systems to adapt to persisting inequities and changing demographic needs globally.