Life Expectancy in 2025: Why It Still Depends on Where You're Born

Imagine two babies born on the same day in 2025—one in Monaco, the other in Nigeria. The Monegasque child is projected to live an average of 89 years, while the Nigerian child may only live to 54. That’s a 35-year difference, determined not by genetics or personal choice, but by geography.

The global map of life expectancy, visualised beautifully by Visual Capitalist, reveals more than just numbers—it tells the story of inequality, healthcare access, public health, and prosperity.

Let’s unpack what’s behind the highs, the lows, and the surprising middle.

The Longevity Leaders: Living Well and Long

Monaco (89 years) – World’s Longest Life Expectancy

Monaco’s life expectancy is often cited as the highest globally, and for good reason:

• A very wealthy population with access to elite healthcare

• Healthy Mediterranean diet

• Virtually zero poverty

• Strong focus on wellness and prevention

Though its small population can skew averages, Monaco still offers an example of how affluence and healthcare converge to promote long life.

Japan (85 years)

Japan continues to lead Asia thanks to:

• A plant-heavy diet low in processed foods

• A culture of daily movement and elder respect

• National healthcare that emphasises prevention

Studies of Okinawa, one of the world’s five "Blue Zones," show that lifestyle and community support are key ingredients for longevity.

Australia, France, Spain, Italy (84–85 years)

These countries combine:

• Strong healthcare systems

• Low crime and high life satisfaction

• Diets low in saturated fats and sugar

• Active lifestyles with plenty of sunlight and walking

Notably, these nations also tend to emphasise social cohesion, which numerous studies link to lower stress and better aging.

The Longevity Crisis: Sub-Saharan Africa

Nigeria (54 years) – The Shortest Life Expectancy

The average Nigerian born in 2025 is expected to live 35 years less than someone in Monaco. Reasons include:

• High infant and maternal mortality

• Prevalent infectious diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis

• Limited healthcare infrastructure

• Food insecurity and malnutrition

UNICEF reports that 1 in 10 Nigerian children die before age 5, and WHO data shows that more than half of all maternal deaths globally occur in sub-Saharan Africa.

Other countries with similarly low life expectancy:

• Chad (56)

• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (62)

• Somalia (59)

Even in peaceful times, access to safe water, vaccinations, and basic care remains out of reach for millions.

The U.S. Paradox (80 years)

Despite having the world’s most expensive healthcare system, the U.S. ranks behind many European countries and even behind Chile and Costa Rica.

Contributing factors:

• High obesity and chronic disease rates

• Gun violence and drug overdoses

• Unequal access to care and lack of universal coverage

• Socioeconomic disparities across racial and geographic lines

According to the CDC, U.S. life expectancy dropped by more than 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been slow to rebound.

Middle Performers Making Progress

China (78 years) has seen vast improvements thanks to rapid urbanisation, economic growth, and public health investments. China’s life expectancy has nearly doubled since the 1960s.

India (71 years) still faces challenges from air pollution, rural healthcare access, and poverty—but its government is expanding health insurance and maternal care services through programs like Ayushman Bharat.

What Drives Longevity?

Based on extensive global research, the key factors influencing life expectancy include:

Factor	Impact on Longevity
Healthcare Access	Early detection, treatment, and prevention
Nutrition	Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Physical Activity	Walking, manual labor, and regular movement
Clean Water & Sanitation	Prevents communicable diseases
Education	Linked to better health literacy and outcomes
Income Equality	Reduces stress, improves access to care
Social Support	Lowers loneliness, a key factor in aging well

The Road Ahead: Can the Gap Be Closed?

The world is aging—but not equally. The WHO forecasts that by 2050, the number of people aged 60+ will double to 2.1 billion, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. If these countries don’t invest now in healthcare, infrastructure, and disease prevention, the global longevity gap may actually widen.

But the solutions aren’t out of reach.

What can work?

• Expanding universal healthcare access

• Promoting education and gender equality

• Investing in clean water, vaccines, and nutrition

• Sharing successful aging models like Blue Zones

Bottom Line

Life expectancy may be rising globally, but it still heavily depends on where you’re born. A child in Monaco is promised nearly nine decades; a child in Nigeria, just five and a half.

That’s not just a health crisis—it’s a moral one.

By sharing knowledge, investing wisely, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and opportunity, we can ensure that longevity isn’t a luxury reserved for a few—but a right guaranteed for all.

Sources:

• UN World Population Prospects 2024

• Visual Capitalist

• World Bank Health Indicators

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Blue Zones Research (Dan Buettner)

• UNICEF Child Mortality Reports Alpesh Patel OBE

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