According to new global estimates from the World Health Organization, the average life expectancy worldwide reached 73.3 years in 2023, indicating an almost complete recovery to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
However, despite the increase in life expectancy, there is a trend towards an increase in the proportion of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. If these diseases accounted for 58% of all causes of death in 2000, this figure reached 74% by 2023.
Data covering the period from 2000 to 2023 shows that in 2019, before the pandemic began, the average life expectancy was 73.4 years. Nevertheless, the pace of recovery in healthy life expectancy has been slower: in 2023, it was 62.8 years, which is 0.4 years below the 2019 level. This indicator accounts not only for total lifespan but also for years lived without health limitations caused by injuries or illnesses.
Rising influence of chronic and mental illnesses
Against the backdrop of an overall increase in life expectancy, the significance of chronic pathologies is growing. Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia entered the top five causes of death globally for the first time in 2023, rising from 19th place in 2000. Over the period under review, the number of deaths related to dementia tripled.
The situation with mental health has also changed. Between 2019 and 2023, the global burden of disease associated with depressive disorders increased by approximately 20%, and for anxiety disorders—by nearly 45%. In total, these conditions led to the loss of about 110 million healthy life years in 2023 due to disability and premature death.
In Uzbekistan, according to the Ministry of Health, the average life expectancy is expected to reach 75.4 years in 2025. As part of the 'Uzbekistan - 2030' strategy, the goal is set to raise this indicator to 78 years.
The WHO emphasizes that simply reducing mortality is not enough to further improve life expectancy; it is also necessary to increase the number of years people spend in good health. The organization's new estimates are intended to help countries determine priority areas in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, timely diagnosis, and improvement of healthcare systems.
Furthermore, it was previously noted that in 2025, the global population aged over 65 years exceeded the number of children under six years old for the first time, reaching approximately 852 million people. Projections indicate that by 2060, the share of the elderly population will almost double.