2026 Global Life Expectancy Rankings: Monaco Leads, Nigeria Trails
UN data shows Monaco leads 2026 life expectancy at 86.7 years, global average 73.8, median 74.5, while Nigeria trails at 54.5. Rankings cover 237 nations.
POLICY WIRE — Geneva, Switzerland — The United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2024 medium‑projection data now rank 237 nations and territories by expected years of life at birth for 2026.
Monaco emerges as the longest‑living nation with an estimated 86.7 years, while the global average is projected at 73.8 years.
The median life expectancy sits at 74.5 years, meaning half of all countries fall below that figure.
Nigeria records the lowest forecast at 54.5 years, creating a 1.6‑fold gap between the highest and lowest lifespans across the 215 nations with complete data.
Since 1950 every country and territory has shown some increase in life expectancy, though the pace of improvement differs widely among regions.
The ranking separates figures for both sexes and also provides male‑only and female‑only estimates, offering a detailed demographic snapshot for policymakers.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
