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Top 25 Countries with the Shortest Life Expectancy in 2025
Nigeria – The Nation with the Lowest Life Expectancy
Nigeria holds the unfortunate title of the country with the lowest average life expectancy in 2025, at just 54.6 years. Males tend to live slightly shorter lives, averaging 54.3 years, compared to females, who live approximately 54.9 years. Persistent challenges such as healthcare access issues, infectious disease prevalence, and economic instability heavily impact longevity in Nigeria.
Chad: Struggling with Health and Development
Chad ranks second among the countries with the shortest life span, with an overall life expectancy of 55.2 years. Men in Chad have an average lifespan of 53.4 years, while women live longer, at about 57.2 years. Subpar healthcare infrastructure and ongoing conflict have contributed significantly to these statistics.
South Sudan – A Young Nation Facing Major Health Hurdles
South Sudan’s average life expectancy is 57.7 years, one of the lowest globally. Men typically live around 54.8 years, whereas women can expect to live up to 60.8 years. Political unrest and limited healthcare services are among the primary factors impacting longevity rates in this young nation.
Central African Republic – A Struggling Healthcare Sector
The Central African Republic sees an average life expectancy of 57.7 years, with women living slightly longer (about 59.6 years) than men (55.5 years). Ongoing conflicts, high poverty levels, and inadequate health infrastructure continue to hinder efforts to improve longevity.
Lesotho – Low Life Expectancy with Gender Disparities
In Lesotho, the life expectancy stands at 57.8 years overall. Women tend to live longer (60.4 years) than men (55.5 years), reflecting broader gender disparities common in sub-Saharan Africa. Challenges include HIV/AIDS prevalence and limited healthcare access.
Somalia – Enduring Struggles Impact Longevity
Somalia’s population’s average lifespan is 59 years. Men typically live up to 56.5 years, with women reaching 61.5 years. Ongoing conflict, famine, and disease outbreaks continue to be significant barriers to increasing life expectancy here.
Mali – Facing Development and Healthcare Obstacles
Mali has an average life expectancy of 60.7 years. Men can expect to live around 59.3 years, with women slightly ahead at 62.1 years. Malnutrition and infectious diseases are critical issues affecting health outcomes.
Guinea – Limited Healthcare Resources
Guinea’s average life span hovers around 60.9 years. Both genders have similar life expectancies, with men at 59.7 years and women at 59.7 years. The nation’s healthcare infrastructure struggles to address infectious diseases and maternal health.
Benin – Slight Increase in Life Expectancy
In Benin, the average lifespan is 61 years. Men live about 59.5 years, while women typically reach 62.4 years. Efforts to improve healthcare access gradually influence these figures.
Burkina Faso – Improving but Still Low
Burkina Faso’s population has an average life expectancy of 61.3 years, with women living longer (63.4 years) than men (59.1 years). Malaria, malnutrition, and limited emergency healthcare services continue to impact survival rates.
Niger – Persistent Challenges
Niger’s overall life expectancy is 61.4 years. Men tend to live around 60.5 years, and women about 62.4. High maternal mortality rates and infectious diseases are primary contributors to these stats.
Sierra Leone – Rebuilding After Past Conflicts
Average life expectancy in Sierra Leone is 62 years. Men usually live approximately 60.2 years, while women reach about 63.7. Post-conflict recovery and health system stabilization are ongoing priorities.
Côte d’Ivoire – Economic Growth Not Yet Reflected in Longevity
Côte d’Ivoire’s average life span stands at 62.1 years. Both genders show similar outlooks, with women living slightly longer. Disease prevention and healthcare investments are key to future improvements.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Overcoming Significant Barriers
The DRC reports an average life expectancy of roughly 62.1 years, with women reaching around 64.2 years and men 60.0. Continued conflict and health crises profoundly affect these numbers.
Liberia – A Nation in Recovery
With a life expectancy of 62.3 years, Liberia’s women generally outlive men (63.6 vs. 61.0). Post-Ebola health system strengthening has contributed to these improvements.
Nauru – A Small Island Nation with Low Longevity
Despite its small size, Nauru’s average life expectancy is 62.3 years. Both genders are close in this statistic, reflecting the nation’s health challenges, including obesity and limited healthcare infrastructure.
Togo – Slightly Above the Lowest in Africa
Togo’s population has an average lifespan of 62.9 years. Men and women live close in years, at 62.7 and 63.1 respectively—slight improvements driven by health initiatives.
Zimbabwe – Economic Factors Impacting Longevity
Zimbabwe’s average life expectancy sits at 63.1 years. Women (65.3 years) tend to live longer than men (60.5). Economic challenges and health infrastructure gaps continue to influence this statistic.
Kenya – Improving but Facing Challenges
Kenya’s longevity average is around 63.8 years. Women reach 66.1, men 61.6. Increased focus on maternal health and infectious disease control have positively influenced life expectancy.
Madagascar – Gradual Progress
Madagascar’s average life expectancy is also 63.8 years. Women live slightly longer (65.4) compared to men (62.1). Malnutrition and disease burdens remain hurdles.
Burundi – One of the Lowest in East Africa
The average life expectancy in Burundi is 63.8 years, with women living a bit longer than men. Health disparities and infectious diseases are primary concerns impacting these figures.
Mozambique – Incremental Improvements
Mozambique’s life expectancy in 2025 is 63.8 years. Women live up to 66.7 years, while men reach 60.5. Disease control programs have contributed to gradual gains.
Equatorial Guinea – A Midway Mark
This Central African nation has a life expectancy of 63.9 years, with women at 65.9 and men at 62.2. Ongoing health challenges include infectious diseases and infant mortality.
Cameroon – A Developing Nation’s Progress
Cameroon reports an average lifespan of 64 years. Women tend to live longer (66.2 years) than men (61.8). Efforts to improve health services are seeing some success.
Guinea-Bissau – Slightly Higher Life Expectancy
The final country in this list, Guinea-Bissau, has a population with an average life expectancy of 64.3 years. Both sexes show similar patterns, with women at 66.5 and men at 61.8.
Final Observations
Despite some progress in certain nations, most of these countries face overarching challenges such as infectious diseases, limited healthcare infrastructure, malnutrition, and ongoing conflicts. The data underscores the vital importance of global health initiatives, infrastructure investments, and socio-economic development to improve longevity and overall quality of life in these nations.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2025
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