🌱 Mapped: How Long People Live, by Country

Key Takeaways

• How long you live depends a lot on where you’re born.
• For example, Western European countries have an 80+ life expectancy at birth
• However, several African countries have a below 60 life expectancy, a lifespan that is a full 20 years shorter.

The Role of Basic Healthcare On Life Expectancy

Parts of already Africa battle a perfect storm of difficult living conditions: poor nutrition, not enough clean water, and violence.

However, the biggest difference between life expectancies of Africans and residents of high-income regions are for those before the age of 5 and after 60.

This is because both babies and older adults have a need for more specific medical attention.

However, this medical care doesn't need to be expensive. Even access to basic antibiotics can prevent premature deaths, leading to longer life expectancies.