2 hrs ago
WHO Data Shows India Outlives Pakistan, Trails Bangladesh
A World Health Organization report compares how long people live in different countries and what causes deaths.
In 2023, people in India were expected to live longer than people in Pakistan, but not as long as people in Bangladesh.
Canada and the United States had higher life expectancy than the South Asian countries listed.
Heart disease was the top cause of death in both India and Pakistan.
The article also describes differences in other health problems, including lung disease in India and birth-related and diarrhoeal causes in Pakistan.
Around the world, many deaths were caused by long-term illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.
People are living longer again after a pandemic-related drop, but healthy life expectancy has recovered more slowly.
This means many people may spend some later years with illness or disability.
WHO estimates put 2023 life expectancy at 71.0 years in India, 68.2 in Pakistan, and 72.7 in Bangladesh.
Canada’s life expectancy was 81.4 years and the United States’ was 78.5, compared with a global average of 73.3.
Ischaemic heart disease ranked as the leading cause of death in both India and Pakistan.
The article says COPD ranked second in India, while Pakistan had higher rankings for diarrhoeal disease and some birth-related causes.
Worldwide, non-communicable diseases accounted for 74% of deaths in 2023; global healthy life expectancy was 62.8 years.
- Who
- The World Health Organization; the report compares populations in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, and the United States.
- What
- WHO Global Health Estimates describe life expectancy and leading causes of death.
- Where
- The report covers countries worldwide, with comparisons focused on South Asia and North America.
- When
- The life-expectancy figures are for 2023; the article was published October 4, 2026.
- Why
Key facts
- India life expectancy at birth
- 71.0 years in 2023
- Pakistan life expectancy at birth
- 68.2 years in 2023
- Bangladesh life expectancy at birth
- 72.7 years in 2023
- Global life expectancy
- 73.3 years in 2023, compared with 73.4 years in 2019
- Global healthy life expectancy
- 62.8 years in 2023
- Global deaths attributed to NCDs
- 74% in 2023, up from 58% in 2000
- Leading cause of death in India and Pakistan
- Ischaemic heart disease








