Countries with the Lowest Life Expectancy (2023)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2023
Life expectancy remains starkly unequal across the world. These 25 countries face the greatest health and development challenges in 2023.
Nigeria leads with life expectancy at birth of 54.5 years.
Chad ranks #2 at 55.1 years.
Lesotho ranks #3 at 57.4 years.
Central African Republic ranks #4 at 57.4 years.
South Sudan ranks #5 at 57.6 years.
Bottom 25 Countries by Life Expectancy at Birth
| # | Country | Life Expectancy at Birth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Nigeria | 54.5 years | 2023 |
| 2 |  Chad | 55.1 years | 2023 |
| 3 |  Lesotho | 57.4 years | 2023 |
| 4 |  Central African Republic | 57.4 years | 2023 |
| 5 |  South Sudan | 57.6 years | 2023 |
| 6 |  Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 58.8 years | 2023 |
| 7 |  Mali | 60.4 years | 2023 |
| 8 |  Guinea | 60.7 years | 2023 |
| 9 |  Benin | 60.8 years | 2023 |
| 10 |  Burkina Faso | 61.1 years | 2023 |
| 11 |  Niger | 61.2 years | 2023 |
| 12 |  Sierra Leone | 61.8 years | 2023 |
| 13 |  Congo, Dem. Rep. | 61.9 years | 2023 |
| 14 |  Cote d'Ivoire | 61.9 years | 2023 |
| 15 |  Nauru | 62.1 years | 2023 |
| 16 |  Liberia | 62.2 years | 2023 |
| 17 |  Togo | 62.7 years | 2023 |
| 18 |  Zimbabwe | 62.8 years | 2023 |
| 19 |  Mozambique | 63.6 years | 2023 |
| 20 |  Madagascar | 63.6 years | 2023 |
| 21 |  Kenya | 63.6 years | 2023 |
| 22 |  Burundi | 63.7 years | 2023 |
| 23 |  Cameroon | 63.7 years | 2023 |
| 24 |  Equatorial Guinea | 63.7 years | 2023 |
| 25 |  Guinea-Bissau | 64.1 years | 2023 |
Data from 217 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the lowest life expectancy at birth in 2023?
Nigeria has the lowest life expectancy at birth at 54.5 years in 2023.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the bottom 25 countries out of 217 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.