European Union Life Expectancy
Life expectancy at birth, total SP.DYN.LE00.IN
European Union's life expectancy was 81.0 in 2025, ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
European Union's life expectancy stood at 81.0 in 2025, a decline of +0.4 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 81.0 by 2025. European Union ranked 42nd globally.
The European Union’s average life expectancy rose from 69.07 in 1960 to 81.02 in 2025, placing it 42nd globally and reflecting a 12.95‑year gain over 65 years. The all‑time peak of 81.41 in 2023 marks a modest improvement over the 2025 figure, suggesting that the upward trajectory has begun to plateau after several decades of steady progress. This pattern mirrors the experience of other high‑ranking jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, whose life expectancy of 81.09 situates it just above the EU average, indicating comparable health outcomes across mature welfare systems. The early trough in 1960 coincided with limited access to modern medical technologies and higher rates of infectious disease, while subsequent gains have been driven by advances in chronic disease management, improved nutrition, and expanded social safety nets. Continued extensions of longevity will likely depend on how effectively the Union addresses emerging challenges such as population ageing, lifestyle‑related morbidity, and climate‑related health risks, which could either sustain or reverse the current modest upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Life Expectancy | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 81.1 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 81.0 | - | - |
| 2025 | 81.0 | −0.4 | #42 |
| 2023 | 81.4 | +0.7 | #41 |
| 2022 | 80.7 | +0.4 | #42 |
| 2021 | 80.3 | −0.1 | #38 |
| 2020 | 80.4 | −0.9 | #40 |
| 2019 | 81.3 | +0.3 | #41 |
| 2018 | 81.0 | +0.1 | #40 |
| 2017 | 80.9 | −0.0 | #41 |
| 2016 | 81.0 | +0.4 | #40 |
| 2015 | 80.6 | −0.3 | #42 |
| 2014 | 80.9 | +0.4 | #40 |
| 2013 | 80.5 | +0.3 | #39 |
| 2012 | 80.2 | +0.0 | #39 |
| 2011 | 80.1 | +0.5 | #38 |
| 2010 | 79.6 | +0.3 | #37 |
Analysis
European Union's life expectancy was 81.0 in 2025, a decline of −0.4 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 81.0 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's life expectancy was 81.0 in 2025. Ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
European Union's life expectancy peaked at 81.4 in 2023.
The lowest life expectancy in European Union was 69.1 in 1960.
European Union ranks 42nd globally in life expectancy as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's life expectancy is projected to reach 81.0 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The life expectancy of European Union in 2025 was 81.0. This ranks 42nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_life-expectancy,
title = {European Union Life Expectancy},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/life-expectancy/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}