People Are Living Longer Again—but Not Healthier: New WHO Figures Redraw the Global Picture

Life expectancy has almost recovered

The WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates trace changes in mortality and disease burden from 2000 to 2023. Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, close to the 73.4 years recorded in 2019.

Healthy life expectancy recovered more slowly, reaching 62.8 years and remaining 0.4 years below its pre-pandemic level. The distinction matters: extra years of life are not necessarily years free from illness or limitation.

Chronic disease carries more of the burden

Noncommunicable diseases caused 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, up from 58% in 2000. Eight of the ten leading causes of death were in this group. Ischaemic heart disease remained the largest single cause, killing about 9.5 million people.

Dementia has moved especially quickly. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias rose from nineteenth among causes of death in 2000 to fifth in 2023, while the number of deaths tripled. The risk of dying from diabetes also increased, particularly in South-East Asia.

Mental health is part of the same shift

Between 2019 and 2023, the age-standardised burden from depressive disorders rose about 20%, while anxiety disorders increased nearly 45%. Together they accounted for an estimated 110 million years of healthy life lost through disability or early death.

The figures do not mean progress has stopped. People live longer, and communicable diseases carry less of the burden than before. Health systems must now adapt by preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, supporting mental health and preparing for greater demand for long-term care.

Source: World Health Organization