Charted: Breaking Down Global Life Expectancy Trends
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Animation: Global Life Expectancy (1950-2021)

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Comparing global life expectancy over time

Animated Chart: Global Life Expectancy (1950-2021)

At a glance, life expectancy has been increasing worldwide over the last 70 years. But when you break it down by region and by sex, a clear yet variable gap in life expectancy emerges.

Using data from Our World in Data, these graphics by Pablo Alvarez provide both a breakdown of average life expectancies worldwide, as well as a more granular view that looks at the life expectancy of men and women across different continents.

Life Expectancy, by Continent and Sex

In the 1800s, the average life expectancy at birth was just 40 years.

Over the last 200 years, average life expectancies have nearly doubled, largely thanks to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and global medical practices.

However, increases in life spans have not been consistent across the sexes—around the world, women now live 5.4 years longer than men do on average. And in certain parts of the world, this gap is even wider.

Comparing Life Expectancy men vs women across regions

For instance, in South America, the average life expectancy for women is seven years longer than it is for men.

Here is the continental breakdown, with data by continent for both male and females:

Life Expectancy by Region (2021)Life expectancy at birth, females (years)Life expectancy at birth, males (years)
Africa6460
Asia7570
Europe8174
North America8175
Oceania8277
South America7670
Global Average7468

What’s causing this discrepancy in life expectancy between men and women?

Theories to Explain the Gap

While scientists don’t know the exact reason for the gap in average life expectancy between sexes, research has put forward a few leading theories. They indicate that the gap is caused by a mix of biological and societal influences:

Biological Factors

According to Our World in Data, there are several genetic and hormonal differences between men and women that may impact longevity.

Because of higher estrogen levels and chromosomal differences, women tend to have more “subcutaneous fat” in their bodies, which is fat that’s carried directly under their skin.

In contrast, men tend to have more “visceral fat,” or fat that surrounds internal organs—which is linked to cardiovascular disease, making men more prone to health risks like heart attacks.

Societal Factors

There are also a number of societal factors that could be contributing to lower life expectancy levels for men.

According to Dr. Perminder Sachdev, a professor of neuropsychiatry who studied human longevity, men are “more likely to smoke, drink excessively, and be overweight.” Dr. Sachdev adds that men are also “less likely to seek medical help early, and, if diagnosed with a disease, they are more likely to be non-adherent to treatment.”

In addition to these aggravated health risks, research also indicates that men are more likely to die in car crashes and fights than women. Further, they tend to disproportionately work in dangerous professions, with men being 10 times more likely to be killed on the job than women.

What’s the biggest contributor of all these factors? It’s worth noting that none of these theories are mutually exclusive, meaning it’s likely a mixture of all of the above—however, the weighting of each factor is currently unknown.

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This article was published as a part of Visual Capitalist's Creator Program, which features data-driven visuals from some of our favorite Creators around the world.

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Healthcare

Suicide in America: A Closer Look at the Statistics

Suicide rates among men far exceed those of women.

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In this map, we use data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to show suicide rates by state.

Suicide in America: A Closer Look at the Statistics

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2023 alone, more than 49,000 people died by suicide across the country—equivalent to one death every 11 minutes.

In this map, we use data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to show suicide rates by state in 2023, measured as age-adjusted deaths per 100,000 people.

Suicide Rates Among Men Far Exceed Those of Women

According to CDC data, an estimated 12.8 million adults in the U.S. have seriously considered suicide. Of those, 3.7 million created a plan, and 1.5 million went on to attempt suicide.

Over time, suicide rates have shown troubling trends. Between 2000 and 2018, rates rose by 37%, before declining slightly by 5% from 2018 to 2020. However, they returned to peak levels by 2022.

RankStateSuicide Rate
1Alaska28.15
2Montana26.65
3Wyoming26.31
4Idaho23.28
5New Mexico22.76
6Oklahoma21.79
7Utah21.51
8Colorado20.89
9South Dakota20.66
10Nevada20.31
11Arkansas20.23
12Kansas19.56
13Oregon19.41
14Arizona19.22
15West Virginia18.57
16Maine18.47
17Missouri18
18Vermont17.85
19North Dakota17.75
20Kentucky17.47
21Tennessee17.34
22Indiana17
23Alabama16.8
24Washington15.7
25Louisiana15.56
26Iowa15.54
27Mississippi15.53
28Hawaii15.28
29Wisconsin14.97
30Michigan14.93
31Georgia14.77
32Ohio14.73
33South Carolina14.69
34New Hampshire14.56
35Nebraska14.47
36Florida14.38
37Pennsylvania14.32
38North Carolina14.25
39Texas14.25
40Minnesota13.83
41Virginia13.6
42Delaware12.81
43Illinois11.88
44California10.16
45Rhode Island9.41
46Maryland9.26
47Connecticut9.1
48Massachusetts8.58
49New York8.3
50New Jersey7.19

Certain groups are more vulnerable than others. In 2023, non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people, along with non-Hispanic White people, had the highest suicide rates among racial and ethnic groups.

Additionally, men are at significantly higher risk. In 2023, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than that of females. Although men represent 50% of the population, they accounted for nearly 80% of all suicides.

Finally, suicide disproportionately affects older adults. People aged 85 and older had the highest suicide rates of any age group in 2023.

ℹ️ Help is Available
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you’re not alone. Call emergency services in your country. In the U.S., dial 911 or text/call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Learn More on the Voronoi App 

To learn more about health in America, check this graphic on how Medicare, the U.S. government’s health insurance program primarily for seniors, compares to similar programs in other rich countries.

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