COVID-19 Pandemic Reverses a Decade of Progress in Global Life Expectancy

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global life expectancy, erasing nearly a decade of progress within just two years, according to the latest World Health Statistics report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years to 71.4 years, returning to the level seen in 2012. Additionally, global healthy life expectancy at birth (HALE) decreased by 1.5 years to 61.9 years in 2021, also reverting to 2012 levels.

The regions of the Americas and South-East Asia were particularly hard hit, with life expectancy dropping by approximately 3 years and healthy life expectancy by 2.5 years. In contrast, the Western Pacific Region experienced minimal impact, with losses of less than 0.1 years in life expectancy and 0.2 years in healthy life expectancy.

Why this matters: The decline in global life expectancy has significant implications for healthcare systems, economies, and societies as a whole. This reversal of progress may lead to increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and a strain on social security systems.

COVID-19 rapidly became a leading cause of death globally, ranking as the third highest cause of mortality in 2020 and the second in 2021, resulting in nearly 13 million lives lost during this period.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the fragility of global health progress, stating, *'There continues to be major progress in global health, with billions of people who are enjoying better health, better access to services, and better protection from health emergencies... But we must remember how fragile progress can be. In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of gains in life expectancy. That's why the new Pandemic Agreement is so important: not only to strengthen global health security, but to protect long-term investments in health and promote equity within and between countries.'*

The WHO report underscores the unequal impact of the pandemic across different regions, highlighting the importance of global cooperation to address health disparities. The new Pandemic Agreement aims to bolster global health security and ensure equitable access to health services and resources.

In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decline in global life expectancy, reversing a decade of progress. The WHO's new Pandemic Agreement seeks to strengthen global health security and promote equity to prevent such setbacks in the future.

Key Takeaways

• COVID-19 pandemic erased nearly a decade of progress in global life expectancy.
• Global life expectancy fell by 1.8 years to 71.4 years between 2019 and 2021.
• Americas and South-East Asia were hardest hit, with life expectancy dropping by ~3 years.
• COVID-19 became the 2nd leading cause of death globally, resulting in 13 million lives lost.
• WHO's Pandemic Agreement aims to strengthen global health security and promote equity.