[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Global shift in mortality and life expectancy trends

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-02 15:38 UTC → 2026-10-02 16:29 UTC · added removed

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant shift in global health trends, characterized by a rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and a recovery in life expectancy following the pandemic. Data indicates that NCDs accounted for 74 per cent of global deaths in 2023, up from 58 per cent in 2000. Eight of the world’s ten leading causes of death are now classified as NCDs, including diabetes, dementia, mental health conditions, and drug use disorders. Cardiovascular diseases remain the primary cause of death and disease burden; ischaemic heart disease alone was responsible for approximately 9.5 million deaths in 2023. Other major causes of death include strokes, chronic pulmonary diseases, lower respiratory infections, Alzheimer's, and various cancers. Notably, both COVID-19 has and tuberculosis have dropped out of the top ten leading causes of death. death globally. Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, a significant rebound from the 71.4 years recorded in 2021, nearing the 2019 level of 73.4 years. However, healthy life expectancy—the period a person lives in good health—is recovering more slowly, reaching 62.8 years, which remains below the 2019 level of 63.2 years. Dr. Alain Labrique of the WHO noted that while living longer is a public health success, the challenge lies in ensuring these additional years are spent in good health and adapting healthcare systems to meet these changing needs. Regional variations are evident: the Americas have seen the highest increase in mortality risk and loss of healthy life years between 2000 and 2023, whereas the Western Pacific region has experienced a considerable decline. In low-income countries, the epidemiological transition is evident, as communicable diseases accounted for less than half of all deaths for the first time in 2023.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-02 16:29 UTC Global shift in mortality and life expectancy trends
  2. 2026-10-02 15:38 UTC Global shift in mortality and life expectancy trends
  3. 2026-10-02 12:04 UTC Global shift in mortality and life expectancy trends

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.