WHO estimates put global life expectancy at 73.3 years and noncommunicable diseases at 74 per cent of deaths

2 October 2026

The World Health Organization released its latest Global Health Estimates on 2 October 2026, covering the years 2000 to 2023. Global life expectancy was 73.3 years in 2023, close to the 2019 level of 73.4 years, while healthy life expectancy was 62.8 years, still 0.4 years below its 2019 level. Noncommunicable diseases caused 74 per cent of deaths in 2023, up from 58 per cent in 2000, and eight of the ten leading causes of death were noncommunicable diseases. Ischaemic heart disease caused about 9.5 million deaths in 2023 and remains the leading cause of death. Dementia rose to the fifth leading cause of death in 2023 from nineteenth in 2000. Dr Alain Labrique said living longer is one of the great achievements of public health.