Guided story
How long do Indians live?
Life expectancy has risen sharply, but the quality of those extra years remains a challenge.
How long does the average Indian live today?
An Indian born in 2024 can expect to live about 72.24 years, according to the World Bank. That's a remarkable jump from 1960, when life expectancy was just 45.61 years, a gain of nearly 27 years in six decades. The United Nations projects that by 2030, the average will rise to 73.63 years. Women consistently outlive men: by 2030, the UN expects women to live 75.41 years and men 71.99 years. But these are averages, they hide big differences between rich and poor, and between states.
Life expectancy at birth, by sex
UN Population
2030 · latest point
By 2030, Indian women are projected to live 75.41 years, men 71.99 years.
This chart shows three lines: overall, male, and female life expectancy from 2000 to 2030. The UN data includes estimates up to 2024 and projections beyond. In 2000, overall life expectancy was 62.75 years. By 2030, it rises to 73.63 years. The gap between men and women remains steady at about 3.5 years. Women benefit from biological advantages and lower mortality at most ages. The projections assume current trends continue, they are not guarantees.
How does India compare with other countries?
India's life expectancy of 72.24 years in 2024 is slightly below the world average of 73.48 years. China is at 78.02 years, and the United States at 78.89 years. But India has been catching up: in 1960, India was at 45.61 years, far behind the world average of 50.94 years. The gap has narrowed from over 5 years to just over 1 year. The progress is real, but India still lags peers.
India vs the world
World Bank · 1960 to latest · life expectancy at birth
2024 · latest point
India’s life expectancy (72.24 years in 2024) is below China (78.02) and the US (78.89), but above the world average (73.48).
This chart compares India, China, the United States, and the world average from 1960 to the latest year. In 1960, India was at 45.61 years, far behind the world average of 50.94. By 2024, India has nearly caught up to the world average. China has surged ahead, it was at 33.42 in 1960 (lower than India) but now leads. The US line is flat or slightly declining in recent years.
Are those years healthy years?
Not entirely. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2021, an Indian at birth could expect only 58.15 years in full health, that's about 14 years less than the total life expectancy. This 'healthy life expectancy' includes years lived without disease or disability. So while Indians are living longer, many of those extra years are spent with illness. The gap between total and healthy life expectancy is a measure of the burden of disease, it means the healthcare system keeps people alive but not always well.
Healthy life expectancy at birth
WHO GHO
2021 · latest point
In 2021, Indians could expect only 58.15 years in full health.
This chart shows healthy life expectancy (HALE) over time. In 2021, the overall HALE was 58.15 years, about 14 years less than total life expectancy. This gap means that on average, an Indian spends their last 14 years with some disease or disability. The pandemic may have affected recent data. The trend shows a slow increase, but not as fast as total life expectancy.
What about people who reach 60?
An Indian who turns 60 in 2021 can expect to live another 15.62 years on average, according to WHO. Women at 60 have 16.51 years left, men 14.76 years. That's fewer years than in many richer countries, but the number has been slowly rising. Life expectancy at 60 is important because it tells us about health in old age, and as more Indians survive childhood, improving old-age health becomes the next big challenge.
Remaining life expectancy at age 60
WHO GHO
2021 · latest point
An Indian who turns 60 in 2021 can expect to live another 15.62 years.
This chart shows how many more years a person aged 60 can expect to live. In 2021, it was 15.62 years for both sexes combined. Women have 16.51 years, men 14.76 years. This number has been rising slowly. It is a key measure for pension systems and healthcare planning for the elderly.
How much has life expectancy changed since 1960?
Dramatically. From 45.61 years in 1960 to 72.24 years in 2024, that's a gain of over 26 years. The biggest gains happened in the 1960s-80s, when child mortality fell sharply. In recent decades, the pace has slowed, but the upward trend continues. The UN projects that by 2030, life expectancy will reach 73.63 years. The long view is clear: India has achieved a quiet revolution in living longer.
Life expectancy since 1960
World Bank · SP.DYN.LE00.IN
2024 · latest point
Indian life expectancy has nearly doubled from 45.61 years in 1960 to 72.24 years in 2024.
This chart shows the remarkable long-term trend. The line rises steeply from 1960 to about 2000, then continues upward but more slowly. The gains are driven by falling child mortality, better nutrition, and improved healthcare. The overall increase of 26.63 years in 64 years is one of the biggest gains in the world.
What has driven this increase in life expectancy?
The single biggest driver is the sharp drop in child deaths. In 2023, the under-five mortality rate was 27.75 per 1,000 live births, down from over 200 per 1,000 in 1960. That means far fewer children are dying before age five. Because life expectancy is an average, saving a child who would have died adds many decades to the average. The infant mortality rate (deaths in the first year) was 24.24 per 1,000 live births in 2023, also down sharply. These declines reflect better healthcare, immunisation, and nutrition.
Under-five child mortality rate
WHO GHO
2023 · latest point
In 2023, 27.75 out of every 1,000 Indian children died before age five, down from over 200 in 1960.
This chart shows the dramatic decline in under-five mortality. The rate has fallen from very high levels to 27.75 per 1,000 live births in 2023. That means the chance of a child surviving to age five has improved enormously. Since child deaths pull down life expectancy, this decline is the main reason life expectancy has risen so much.
How does health spending relate to life expectancy?
In 2023, India spent just 3.3% of its GDP on current health expenditure, down from 4.1% in 2000. That is low compared to most countries. The fact that life expectancy has continued to rise despite relatively low health spending suggests that other factors, like sanitation, education, and economic growth, have also played a role. But the gap between total and healthy life expectancy (about 14 years) hints that more spending on healthcare could improve the quality of those extra years.
Health expenditure as a share of GDP
WHO GHO
2023 · latest point
India spent just 3.3% of its GDP on health in 2023, down from 4.1% in 2000.
This chart shows current health expenditure as a percentage of GDP. The share has declined from 4.1% in 2000 to 3.3% in 2023. That is a low level even by developing country standards. It suggests that the gains in life expectancy have come despite relatively low public health spending, probably due to other factors like economic growth and sanitation improvements.
Infant mortality rate
WHO GHO
2023 · latest point
In 2023, 24.24 out of 1,000 infants died before their first birthday.
Infant mortality, deaths in the first year of life, was 24.24 per 1,000 live births in 2023. This is slightly lower than the under-five rate because most child deaths occur in infancy. The rate has been falling steadily, reflecting improvements in neonatal care, vaccination, and maternal health.