Select Language:
Top 25 Countries with the Lowest Life Expectancy in 2025
Nigeria Continues to Face Low Life Expectancy
Despite its status as Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria’s average life expectancy remains low at approximately 54.6 years. Males tend to have a slightly shorter lifespan, averaging around 54.3 years, while females live on average 54.9 years. Factors such as healthcare access, economic instability, and ongoing security challenges contribute to these figures.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2025
Chad Struggles with Health and Development Challenges
Chad ranks among the countries with the lowest life expectancy, with an overall average of 55.2 years. Male residents typically live about 53.4 years, while females live slightly longer, up to 57.2 years. Limited healthcare infrastructure and recurring conflicts exacerbate health outcomes here.
South Sudan Faces an Ongoing Crisis
South Sudan’s life expectancy remains one of the lowest globally at 57.7 years. Men often have shorter lifespans than women, with averages of 54.8 years versus 60.8 years for females. Persistent conflict and displacement heavily influence these statistics.
Central African Republic: A Fragile Health System
With an average expectancy of 57.7 years, the Central African Republic continues to grapple with health system weaknesses. Males average 55.5 years, whereas women can expect to live around 59.6 years. These numbers reflect ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Lesotho’s Life Expectancy Slightly Improves
Lesotho’s life expectancy stands at 57.8 years, with women living approximately 60.4 years and men at 55.5 years. Efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and improve healthcare access are critical to improving these figures.
Somalia Continues to Struggle with Healthcare Access
In 2025, Somalia’s average life expectancy is about 59 years. Women tend to live slightly longer than men, at 61.5 years versus 56.5. Ongoing conflict, drought, and limited healthcare infrastructure remain major issues.
Mali’s Population Faces Moderate Challenges
Mali’s average lifespan is 60.7 years. Women are expected to live about 62.1 years, with men around 59.3 years, hindered by limited access to quality healthcare and ongoing instability.
Guinea’s Life Expectancy Near 61 Years
Guinea’s overall life expectancy is around 60.9 years, with men and women living close to 59.7 years. Malaria, maternal health issues, and economic challenges influence health outcomes.
Benin’s Population Experiences Similar Trends
Benin’s residents have an average life expectancy of 61 years. Women are expected to live longer (62.4) than men (59.5), facing health disparities tied to infrastructure and socioeconomic factors.
Burkina Faso’s Moderate Life Expectancy
Burkina Faso’s life expectancy is approximately 61.3 years. Women tend to live longer (63.4) compared to men (59.1), reflecting ongoing health inequities and economic conditions.
Niger Remains Among the Least Healthy Nations
At roughly 61.4 years, Niger’s lifespan is notably low. Females can expect to live about 62.4 years, and males about 60.5, attributed to high fertility rates and limited health resources.
Sierra Leone’s Continued Health Challenges
Sierra Leone’s life expectancy is approximately 62 years. Women live longer (63.7) than men (60.2), with health crises like Ebola’s aftermath impacting overall health metrics.
Côte d’Ivoire: Young Nation with Developmental Struggles
Average life expectancy here is about 62.1 years. Women tend to live longer (64.3) than men (60.2), with poverty and disease burden influencing health outcomes.
Democratic Republic of Congo Faces Hardships
With an average lifespan of 62.1 years, the DRC continues to face an uphill battle with healthcare accessibility, maternal health, and conflict. Female lifespan (64.2) surpasses males (60.0).
Liberia’s Young Population and Health Disparities
At 62.3 years, Liberia’s residents have slightly longer life expectancy figures. Women can expect to live about 63.6 years, while men around 61 years. Infectious diseases heavily impact these numbers.
Nauru: An Outlier Among Low Life Expectancy Nations
Despite being a small island nation, Nauru’s average life expectancy is 62.3 years. Women live around 64.2 years, men about 60.4, influenced by nutrition and health policy challenges.
Togo’s Lifespan Slightly Improves
Togo’s inhabitants can expect to live approximately 62.9 years, with women living marginally longer than men. Healthcare improvements are ongoing but have yet to reflect fully in lifespan statistics.
Zimbabwe Edges Toward 63 Years
Zimbabwe’s overall life expectancy is estimated at 63.1 years. Women tend to live about 65.3 years, while men average 60.5. Economic recovery and health initiatives are vital to better outcomes.
Kenya Demonstrates Slight Improvements
Kenyans now average around 63.8 years. Women live approximately 66.1 years, with men averaging 61.6, reflecting progress in healthcare access and disease control.
Madagascar’s Youth and Development
Madagascar’s life expectancy remains at about 63.8 years, with women living up to 65.4 years, and men around 62.1. Malnutrition and infectious diseases remain major health hurdles.
Burundi’s Persistent Challenges
Burundi’s lifespan is approximately 63.8 years. Women are expected to live about 65.9 years, while men reach 61.8. Poverty and limited healthcare access contribute to these statistics.
Mozambique: Struggling with Similar Issues
Average life expectancy is around 63.8 years in Mozambique. Women at 66.7 years have a notable longevity advantage over men, linked to maternal health and disease prevention.
Equatorial Guinea’s Slightly Better Outcomes
At 63.9 years, Equatorial Guinea has marginally higher life expectancy than many neighboring nations. Women live around 65.9 years; men about 62.2, facing health system limitations.
Cameroon: A Developing Nation’s Health Profile
With an average of 64 years, Cameroon’s population continues to face healthcare challenges. Women live about 66.2 years, men live roughly 61.8.
Guinea-Bissau: Close to 64.5-Year Mark
Guinea-Bissau residents live approximately 64.3 years on average. Women’s longevity (66.5) surpasses men’s (61.8), impacted by infectious diseases and healthcare disparities.
Conclusion
These rankings highlight persistent global health inequities, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions, healthcare investment, and development aid in the world’s poorest nations. Addressing underlying factors like poverty, conflict, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure remains vital to improving life expectancy worldwide.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2025
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
