Quick summary: According to the 2024 revision of the United Nations World Population Prospects, the highest life expectancy at birth is found in a mix of small European states and East Asian countries. Key drivers include prevention, strong primary care, nutrition, road safety, low smoking rates, and effective public policy.
2025 Ranking – Top 10
- Monaco — 86.5 years
- San Marino — 85.8 years
- Japan — 84.8 years
- South Korea — 84.4 years
- Andorra — 84.2 years
- Switzerland — 84.1 years
- Australia — 84.1 years
- Italy — 83.9 years
- Singapore — 83.9 years
- Spain — 83.8 years
Why these countries lead
- Universal, high-performing healthcare: near-universal coverage, quick access, strong prevention (vaccination, screening, chronic-disease management).
- Lifestyle and nutrition: Mediterranean and Japanese patterns (more fish, plants, legumes; fewer ultra-processed foods), plus routine physical activity.
- Public-health policy: tobacco and alcohol control, road-safety rules, and pollution management.
- Lower inequality & strong education: narrower gaps improve access to care and uptake of prevention across the population.
Country snapshots
- Monaco: very high incomes, easy access to care, Mediterranean diet; 86.5 years.
- San Marino: 85.8; similar profile to Italy with small population and accessible services.
- Japan: 84.8; traditional diet, prevention culture, long-standing universal coverage.
- South Korea: 84.4; rapid gains over ~30 years via improved nutrition, education, and care.
- Andorra: 84.2; small state, high coverage, healthy environment.
- Switzerland: 84.1; prevention focus, high spending with strong quality and safety.
- Australia: 84.1; declining smoking rates, robust primary care and prevention.
- Italy: 83.9; Mediterranean diet and dense care network, with some North–South differences.
- Singapore: 83.9; very low infant and cardio-respiratory mortality.
- Spain: 83.8; diet, vaccination, and primary care; slight post-COVID dip with recovery underway.
Key statistical points
- Female–male gap: across developed economies, women live roughly 5+ years longer than men—risk behaviors explain a large part of the gap.
- COVID-19 effect: temporary drops in many countries followed by partial rebound; some countries (e.g., the U.S.) remain below expected levels given spending.
- Long-run trend: despite shocks, global life expectancy has increased over decades; medium-term projections remain upward.
Login