WHO COVID Causes 2-Year Global Life Expectancy Decline

WHO COVID Causes 2-Year Global Life Expectancy Decline

Post by : Raina Mansoor

May 25, 2024 10:51 a.m. 1228

Geneva: The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to global life expectancy, erasing nearly two years of progress achieved between 2019 and 2021, stated the World Health Organization (WHO) in its annual world health statistics study released on Friday. This regression marks a stark reversal in the steady upward trajectory observed in life expectancy at birth and healthy life expectancy at birth prior to the pandemic, according to the UN health agency.

As per the WHO report, global life expectancy dropped by 1.8 years to 71.4 years, reverting to levels last seen in 2012. Similarly, the average duration of healthy life expectancy saw a decline of 1.5 years, reaching 61.9 years, also matching the levels recorded in 2012.

These findings paint a grimmer picture than a previous study published by The Lancet in January, which reported a global average life expectancy decline of 1.6 years during the pandemic. Researchers from The Lancet emphasized that COVID-19 had a more profound impact on life expectancy than any other event in the past fifty years.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, underscored the significance of the ongoing negotiations in Geneva regarding a global pandemic security agreement. He stressed the need to bolster global health security while safeguarding long-term health investments and promoting equity within and between nations.

According to estimates by The Lancet, COVID-19 contributed to 15.9 million excess deaths during the period of 2020-2021, stemming from the virus itself or disruptions to healthcare systems caused by the pandemic.

However, the WHO study revealed variations in the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy across different regions. The Americas and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant declines, with life expectancy dropping by approximately three years. Conversely, the Western Pacific region witnessed a minimal decline of just 0.1 year in life expectancy.

Big Bad Wolf Books Dubai 2026 Extended to March 15

The world’s largest book sale in Dubai Studio City extended to March 15, offering 18,000 titles, fre

March 10, 2026 5:23 p.m. 197

Miruna Launches Modest Collection Featuring Statement Designs

Miruna unveils its new Modest collection, blending expressive silhouettes, luxe textures, and statem

March 10, 2026 5:03 p.m. 187

AMINA Joins 21X as First Regulated Bank for Token Trading

Swiss bank AMINA partners with 21X and Tokeny, creating end-to-end tokenisation infrastructure for r

March 10, 2026 4:43 p.m. 188

US Stocks Slide as AI Fears, Inflation and Oil Surge Weigh

US stocks dropped as AI disruption fears hit tech firms, inflation rose above forecasts, and oil pri

March 3, 2026 5:06 p.m. 191

Pacific Prime Wins Top Honors at Cigna Awards 2026

Pacific Prime secured Top Individual Broker and Top SME Broker awards at Cigna’s Annual Broker Award

March 3, 2026 4:29 p.m. 189

QatarEnergy Halts LNG Output After Military Attack

QatarEnergy has stopped LNG production after military attacks hit its facilities in Ras Laffan and M

March 3, 2026 3:13 p.m. 202

Strong 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits West Sumatra, No Damage

A 6.1 earthquake struck off West Sumatra, Indonesia. No casualties, damage, or tsunami alert reporte

March 3, 2026 1:23 p.m. 195

Saudi Confirms Drone Strike on US Embassy Riyadh

Two drones hit the US Embassy in Riyadh, causing a small fire and minor damage. No injuries were rep

March 3, 2026 12:43 p.m. 255

UAE Restarts Limited Flights as Regional Airspace Disruptions Continue

UAE restarts limited flights from Dubai as US-Israel attacks on Iran disrupt regional airspace, forc

March 3, 2026 11:34 a.m. 259
Sponsored
https://markaziasolutions.com/
Trending News

Bank of Baroda Faces Abu Dhabi Legal Battle over NMC Collapse

Bank of Baroda’s involvement in Abu Dhabi litigation tied to the NMC Healthcare collapse raises repu

Feb. 23, 2026 6:01 p.m. 490

Top Museum Openings of 2026 Set to Transform Global Tourism

From Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi and Brussels, 2026 brings major museum launches—Lucas Museum, Guggenhe

Feb. 23, 2026 5:36 p.m. 464

UAE Tour Highlights UAE’s Strength in Hosting Global Sports Events

Abu Dhabi Sports Council says the successful UAE Tour reflects the UAE’s leading role in hosting maj

Feb. 23, 2026 4:21 p.m. 448

EU Seeks Clarity from US After Supreme Court IEEPA Ruling

European Commission urges full transparency from the US on steps after Supreme Court ruling, emphasi

Feb. 23, 2026 4:04 p.m. 433

SpaceX Launches 53 New Satellites for Expanding Starlink Network

SpaceX launches 53 Starlink satellites in two Falcon 9 missions, breaking reuse records and expandin

Feb. 23, 2026 3:51 p.m. 427

RTA Awards Contract for Phase II of Hessa Street Upgrade in Dubai

Phase II of Hessa Street Development to add bridges, tunnel, and upgraded intersections, doubling ca

Feb. 23, 2026 3:20 p.m. 515

UAE Gold Prices Today, Monday 16 February 2026: Dubai & Abu Dhabi Updated Rates

Gold prices in UAE on 16 Feb 2026 updated: 24K around AED 599.75/gm, 22K AED 555.25/gm, and 18K AED

Feb. 16, 2026 6:04 p.m. 1119

Over 25 Ahmedabad Schools Receive Bomb Threat Email, Authorities Investigate

More than 25 schools in Ahmedabad evacuated after bomb threat emails mentioning Khalistan. Authoriti

Feb. 16, 2026 2:34 p.m. 486