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WHO Report: Indians Live Longer Than Pakistanis, But Lag in Healthy Lifespan
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News18•04-10-2026, 19:19
WHO Report: Indians Live Longer Than Pakistanis, But Lag in Healthy Lifespan
- •India's average life expectancy is 71.0 years, nearly 3 years longer than Pakistan's 68.2 years, but both lag behind Bangladesh (72.7 years) and the global average (73.3 years).
- •Both India and Pakistan face a significant gap between total life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE), with individuals spending roughly the last decade of life with chronic illnesses or disability.
- •Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes are the leading causes of death in both nations, with NCDs driving 75% of deaths in India.
- •India faces a higher burden from respiratory diseases like COPD, while Pakistan struggles more with neonatal and birth vulnerabilities, and diarrhoeal diseases.
- •Globally, life expectancy is rebounding, but healthy lifespan recovery is slower, and NCDs now account for 74% of global deaths, with mental health burdens also increasing post-pandemic.
Key Questions Answered
According to the latest WHO Global Health Estimates for 2023, the average life expectancy at birth is 71.0 years in India, 68.2 years in Pakistan, and 72.7 years in Bangladesh.
Both nations share ischaemic heart disease as their number one killer and diabetes mellitus as a major threat. However, India's second leading killer is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas Pakistan faces a heavier burden from neonatal complications and diarrhoeal diseases.
The global average life expectancy rebounded to 73.3 years in 2023, closely approaching pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, non-communicable diseases drove 74% of global deaths that year, up from 58% in 2000, with conditions like ischaemic heart disease and dementia surging significantly.
