New Zealand—Life Expectancy at Birth
New Zealand's life expectancy was 82.0 years in 2024, ranking #35 out of 217 countries. This represents a +0.3% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 82.3 years (2020) and the lowest was 78.6 years (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82.0 years | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 81.8 years | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 82.0 years | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 82.2 years | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 82.3 years | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 82.1 years | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 81.7 years | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 81.9 years | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 81.7 years | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 81.6 years | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 81.5 years | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 81.4 years | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 81.4 years | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 81.2 years | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 80.9 years | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 80.7 years | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 80.4 years | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 80.2 years | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 80.0 years | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 79.9 years | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 79.5 years | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 79.1 years | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 78.8 years | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 78.7 years | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 78.6 years |
Top Countries — Life Expectancy at Birth
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monaco | 86.5 years | 2024 |
| 2 | San Marino | 85.8 years | 2024 |
| 3 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 85.4 years | 2024 |
| 4 | Kuwait | 84.6 years | 2024 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 84.4 years | 2024 |
| 6 | Liechtenstein | 84.2 years | 2024 |
| 7 | French Polynesia | 84.2 years | 2024 |
| 8 | Andorra | 84.2 years | 2024 |
| 9 | Sweden | 84.1 years | 2024 |
| 10 | Japan | 84.0 years | 2024 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.
Methodology
Life expectancy is calculated from life tables, which are constructed using age-specific death rates derived from vital registration systems or sample surveys. The World Bank sources this data from the UN Population Division, which uses demographic estimation techniques when vital registration is incomplete. The calculation assumes that current age-specific mortality rates remain constant throughout a person's life.
Unit
years