EU Life Expectancy Rises Again, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
Life expectancy across the European Union continued its gradual recovery in 2024, reaching 81.5 years, according to newly released data from Eurostat. The figure represents a 0.1-year increase compared with 2023 and confirms that longevity in the EU has not only recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
During the pandemic, life expectancy across the EU dropped significantly—from 80.4 years in 2020 to 80.1 years in 2021—reflecting the heavy mortality impact of COVID-19. Since then, steady improvements in public health, healthcare systems, and vaccination coverage have helped reverse the decline. The latest figure also exceeds the 2019 average of 81.3 years, indicating a full rebound.
Madrid leads Europe in longevity
Regional data reveal striking differences in life expectancy across the EU. The Spanish capital region, Comunidad de Madrid, recorded the highest life expectancy in the bloc at 85.7 years.
Three other regions also reported life expectancy of 85 years or more:
- Provincia Autonoma di Trento (Italy) – 85.0 years
- Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen (Italy) – 85.0 years
- Stockholm (Sweden) – 85.0 years
These regions highlight how strong healthcare systems, higher incomes, and healthy lifestyles can contribute to longer lives.
Lowest life expectancy found in Eastern EU regions
At the other end of the spectrum, several regions continue to lag behind the EU average. Three of the five regions with the lowest life expectancy are located in Bulgaria:
- Severozapaden – 73.9 years
- Severen tsentralen – 74.9 years
- Severoiztochen – 75.4 years
Two other regions with relatively low life expectancy include Mayotte (France) at 74.5 years and Észak‑Magyarország in Hungary at 75.1 years.
The gap between Europe’s longest- and shortest-living regions illustrates ongoing disparities in healthcare access, living standards, and lifestyle factors across the EU.
Women continue to outlive men
Gender differences in longevity remain significant across the EU. In 2024:
- Women’s life expectancy: 84.1 years (+0.1 vs 2023)
- Men’s life expectancy: 78.9 years (+0.2 vs 2023)
Overall, women in the EU are expected to live 5.2 years longer than men.
However, the gender gap varies widely between countries. The largest differences were recorded in the Baltic region:
- Latvia – women live 9.8 years longer than men
- Lithuania – 8.6 years longer
- Estonia – 8.4 years longer
By contrast, the smallest gender gaps were found in Western and Northern Europe:
- Netherlands – 2.8 years
- Sweden – 3.1 years
- Ireland – 3.4 years
A gradual but uneven recovery
The latest data highlight both Europe’s recovery from the pandemic’s demographic shock and the persistent inequalities between regions and genders. While overall life expectancy is once again rising, the gap between Europe’s healthiest and least healthy regions remains substantial.
Experts say continued investment in healthcare systems, preventive medicine, and healthier lifestyles will be essential to maintain the upward trend in the coming years. Photo by Karin Beate Nøsterud - norden.org, Wikimedia commons.