Global life expectancy declines by 1.6 years amid Covid-19 pandemic: Study

In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet journal, researchers unveiled a startling reality: global life expectancy plummeted by 1.6 years between 2019 and 2021, marking a significant departure from the upward trajectory witnessed in previous years.

This unprecedented reversal, attributed largely to the Covid-19 pandemic, underscores profound implications for health systems, economies, and societies worldwide.

Demographic trends amidst the pandemic

The study, one of the earliest to comprehensively analyse demographic shifts during the pandemic’s initial years, paints a concerning picture of global health. Life expectancy declined in a staggering 84 per cent of countries and territories, highlighting the devastating impact of novel pathogens on populations worldwide.

Notably, regions such as Mexico City, Peru, and Bolivia experienced some of the most substantial declines.

Rise in adult mortality rates

A striking finding of the research is the marked increase in adult mortality rates globally throughout 2020 and 2021, reversing previous downward trends. However, amidst these grim statistics, there is a glimmer of hope as child mortality continues to decline, albeit at a slower pace.

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Nonetheless, regional disparities persist, with South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate burden of child deaths.

Insights from Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

The study, coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, presents updated estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021.

By analysing mortality, excess mortality due to the pandemic, life expectancy, and population data, researchers offer invaluable insights into the evolving global health landscape.

Pandemic’s toll on global population

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The pandemic’s toll extends beyond mortality rates, impacting global population dynamics. In 2021, the global population neared 7.9 billion, with 56 of 204 countries and territories experiencing population peaks followed by declines.

This decline, observed since 2017, accelerated during the pandemic, though not in in lower-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where rapid population growth persists.

Aging population dynamics

The study highlights a significant shift in global demographics, with the elderly population (aged 65 years and older) growing at a faster rate than younger cohorts in the majority of countries and territories.

This aging trend underscores the need for targeted policies and interventions to address the evolving needs of aging populations worldwide.