News Desk
Global life expectancy is steadily increasing, driven by technological advances, better standards of living, and improved healthcare. By 2050, the global average is expected to rise from 73.4 to 77.2 years, but significant disparities between regions and income groups remain. Amid this global trend, the Maldives stands out as a success story, showcasing one of the most dramatic improvements in life expectancy.
The Maldives’ current average life expectancy is 81.3 years in 2024, marking a 122.7% increase since 1950, when the figure stood at just 36.5 years. This remarkable rise has added 44.8 years to the average Maldivian lifespan over seven decades.
Future projections are equally optimistic: by 2100, the country’s average life expectancy is expected to reach 91.6 years, a 12.7% increase from today.
This upward trajectory in the Maldives is attributed to rapid advancements in healthcare access, living standards, and the adoption of new technologies. By 2050, the Maldives is projected to achieve an average life expectancy of 85.9 years, surpassing countries such as the United States (83.2 years), Sri Lanka (82.1 years), and India (77.5 years).
Globally, Monaco is expected to lead in 2050 with an average life expectancy of 89.5 years, closely followed by Hong Kong SAR (89.1 years) and San Marino (88.7 years). Regionally, Northern America is projected to top the list with an average life expectancy of 83.6 years, followed by Europe (83.3 years) and Oceania (81.8 years).
Meanwhile, China’s average life expectancy is expected to climb to 83.4 years by 2050, reflecting its investment in public health. In contrast, low-income countries will continue to struggle, with Nigeria projected to have the lowest life expectancy at just 58.5 years.
Income disparities continue to play a defining role, with high-income countries projected to average 85.2 years by 2050, compared to 69.3 years in low-income nations. These figures emphasize the importance of equitable healthcare distribution and poverty alleviation in bridging global life expectancy gaps.
For the Maldives, the journey from 36 years in 1950 to nearly 86 years by mid-century represents a transformation few countries can match. As global averages inch upward, the Maldives offers a compelling example of how focused policy and innovation can radically extend lifespans and enhance quality of life.
Additional Context from the World Bank Blog:
The Maldives’ development trajectory offers a compelling narrative of transformation. Once among the world’s least developed nations, the archipelago has achieved middle-income status since gaining independence. It boasts a high Human Development Index score, a near-perfect literacy rate, and a life expectancy surpassing 77 years.
For over 40 years, the World Bank has partnered with the Maldives, providing $295 million through 32 projects aimed at fostering sustainable development. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a sister organization, has contributed over $157 million to strengthen the country’s private sector. Currently, six World Bank-funded projects totaling $104 million are under implementation, focusing on critical areas such as fisheries, solid waste management, public financial management, and creating jobs in tourism and IT sectors.
However, the Maldives faces significant challenges, particularly for its youth and women. Over a quarter of young women aged 15-24 are not engaged in employment, education, or training, while youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at nearly 20 percent. Additionally, economic disparities persist, with over 90 percent of the nation’s poor residing in the atolls, underscoring the need for inclusive growth strategies to ensure the benefits of development are shared widely.
Source:
Life expectancy data and projections referenced in this article are from Database.Earth, an open resource for global statistics and trends.
Image courtesy: WorldBank.Org
