Global life expectancy has recovered to almost pre-pandemic levels, reaching 73.3 years in 2023, compared with 73.4 years in 2019, according to the WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates covering trends from 2000 to 2023. However, healthy life expectancy remains slightly below its 2019 level at 62.8 years.
Noncommunicable Diseases Drive Growing Burden
As per the WHO, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023, up from 58% in 2000. Eight of the 10 leading causes of death were NCDs, with cardiovascular diseases continuing to account for the largest global burden.
Ischaemic heart disease alone caused about 9.5 million deaths and 210 million DALYs in 2023. Meanwhile, diabetes and dementia have also emerged as growing concerns, with global dementia deaths tripling since 2000.
Mental Health Burden Also Rising
Furthermore, WHO reported a sharp rise in mental health-related disease burden between 2019 and 2023. The global age-standardised DALY rate increased by about 20% for depressive disorders and nearly 45% for anxiety disorders, together accounting for an estimated 110 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
The estimates highlight the changing priorities for health systems as populations live longer and chronic diseases account for a growing share of the global disease burden.