The average age at death worldwide, often referred to as life expectancy at birth, has significantly increased over the last 100 years due to advancements in healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, and living conditions. Below is an approximate overview of global life expectancy every 10 years for the past 100 years, based on historical estimates. These numbers are averages and your individual experiences may tell a different story.
One this is for certain though, we are living longer which is why retirement planning and investing is so critically important to our lived experience. It has been said that the first person to live to the age of 200 has already been born. Take these trends into consideration when you are calculating how many years your retirement savings need to last.
There are many factors to consider when estimating how long you are likely to live and personally I have used my great-grand parents, grand parents and parents ages at death as good yardsticks. Genetics and social environment play important roles in longevity but below are the averages. See if your family is above or below average life expectancy.
Average Life Expectancy at Birth (Global Estimates)
1920: ~34 years
Life expectancy was quite low due to high infant mortality rates, lack of vaccines, and limited medical knowledge. Diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza were major causes of death.
1930: ~36 years
Slight improvement as more countries began implementing public health measures, and sanitation conditions were slowly improving.
1940: ~40 years
Life expectancy increased due to improvements in hygiene and the discovery of antibiotics like penicillin, though World War II caused a temporary decline in many regions.
1950: ~48 years
Post-World War II, many countries saw a rise in life expectancy thanks to major advances in medical treatments, vaccinations (e.g., polio vaccine), and improvements in maternal and infant care.
1960: ~52 years
The global average continued to increase as health systems developed, particularly in high-income countries, though many lower-income regions still struggled with infectious diseases and lack of healthcare.
1970: ~58 years
Further improvements in medical science, global vaccination programs, and better disease control led to a steady rise in life expectancy.
1980: ~62 years
Rising standards of living, better food supply, and breakthroughs in treating chronic illnesses like heart disease further contributed to increased longevity.
1990: ~65 years
Significant advances in medical technology and global health efforts, including the eradication of smallpox and improvements in treating HIV/AIDS, helped boost global life expectancy.
2000: ~67 years
Public health campaigns addressing smoking, malnutrition, and clean water access, along with advances in surgical and cancer treatments, continued to improve survival rates worldwide.
2010: ~70 years
Life expectancy reached 70 years globally, with substantial improvements seen in low- and middle-income countries as more people had access to basic healthcare and education.
2020: ~72.6 years
The global average continues to rise, though regional disparities remain. Life expectancy increases were slowed somewhat by factors like aging populations and emerging diseases (e.g., COVID-19).
Key life expectancy trends
The greatest improvements occurred post-World War II, with widespread vaccination programs, antibiotics, and healthcare advancements.
Infant mortality reductions and better maternal care have played a significant role in increasing life expectancy.
Global averages mask regional disparities, where some high-income countries have life expectancies above 80, while lower-income countries may still face challenges keeping the average lower. In general, life expectancy has more than doubled over the last century due to improved living conditions and healthcare.
Life expectancy in the developed World (2020)
Average life expectancy in the USA
Average life expectancy: ~77.0 years
Men: ~74.2 years
Women: ~79.1 years
This represented a decrease of approximately 1.8 years from 78.8 years in 2019, largely due to the high number of deaths caused by COVID-19. It was the most significant drop in life expectancy in the U.S. since World War II.
United Kingdom (2020)
Average life expectancy: 80.35
Men: ~79.0 years
Women: ~82.9 years
Life expectancy also declined in the UK during 2020, driven primarily by the pandemic. For men, it dropped by about 1 year, and for women, by roughly 0.7 years compared to 2019 levels.
The pandemic had a substantial impact on mortality rates in both countries, causing the first major drops in life expectancy in decades.