Human life expectancy has risen in the last century, but large differences persist. Unfortunately, some African countries fall on the low end of the spectrum.
Life expectancy refers to the average lifetime of people in a certain population. While the average life expectancy for humans has improved greatly on a worldwide basis, there is still a considerable difference in average life expectancies between countries.
Life expectancy is determined by more than simply luck; factors such as ethnicity, income, gender, and location all play an important impact.
According to the World Bank, countries that spend more on healthcare have greater life expectancies. To alleviate inequality, several countries have prioritized primary health care, which includes immunization, sanitation, access to safe drinking water, and safe motherhood programs.
The World Bank said that in 2021, the average life expectancy at birth was 71 years. Global life expectancy at birth fell for the second year in a row, as the COVID-19 epidemic reversed decades of gains.
The countries with the longest predicted life expectancies were rich in Asia and Europe, with Japan, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, and South Korea topping the list with 84 years.
Life expectancy varies greatly across Africa due to factors such as healthcare availability, economic development, and disease prevalence.
Chad has the lowest life expectancy (52.5 years), followed closely by Nigeria (52.7 years) and the Central African Republic (53.9 years).
| Rank | Country | Life expectancy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chad | 52.5 years |
| 2 | Nigeria | 52.7 years |
| 3 | Central African Republic | 53.9 years |
| 4 | South Sudan | 55.0 years |
| 5 | Somalia | 55.3 years |
| 6 | Eswatini | 57.1 years |
| 7 | Mali | 58.9 years |
| 8 | Guniea | 58.9 years |
| 9 | Congo, Dem Rep | 59.2 years |
| 10 | Mozambique | 59.3 years |