Africa’s Life Expectancy Divide: A 22-Year Gap That Tells a Bigger Story.

Across Africa, people are living longer than ever before but not equally so. According to the World Population Prospects 2024, the continent’s average life expectancy stands at about 64 years, masking a 22-year gap between the countries at the top and bottom of the scale.

At one end, Tunisia leads with 76.7 years, closely followed by Algeria (76.5) and Mauritius (75.1).At the other, Nigeria (54.6), Chad (55.2), and the Central African Republic (57.7) sit near the bottom reflecting deep differences in living conditions, healthcare access, and social progress across the continent.

Average Life Expectancy in Africa: Top and Bottom 5

The Numbers Behind the Divide

Africa’s top five countries for life expectancy: Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Libya, all record averages above 70 years, placing them in line with global middle-income peers in Latin America and Asia.

In contrast, the bottom five: Lesotho, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria cluster between 54 and 58 years, roughly two decades below the global average of 73 years.

This means that a child born in North Africa or an island nation such as Mauritius can expect to live as much as a generation longer than a child born in parts of Central or Western Africa.

Regional Patterns That Stand Out

The North African sub-region dominates the upper ranks, with life expectancy figures consistently above 70 years. This pattern mirrors improvements in healthcare systems, literacy, and social development, but also benefits from relatively lower conflict intensity compared to other regions.

Island nations such as Mauritius and Seychelles also perform strongly, consistent with their smaller populations, tourism-driven economies, and access to preventive care.

The Central African corridor, on the other hand stretching from Chad through the Central African Republic and South Sudan records some of the lowest life expectancy figures. This region continues to face persistent challenges including displacement, poverty, and fragile institutions, all of which constrain progress in health and human development indicators.

In West and Southern Africa, the picture is mixed. Countries like Ghana, Cape Verde, and Botswana are steadily improving, but others, including Nigeria and Lesotho, still struggle to close the gap.

Why This Gap Matters

A 22-year difference is more than a number, it represents disparities in access to safe water, nutrition, maternal health, and disease prevention. It means that millions of Africans spend fewer years in school, have shorter working lives, and face higher rates of preventable illness.

This divide also speaks to inequality within Africa’s development story. While some nations are experiencing demographic dividends and expanding middle classes, others remain stuck in cycles of poor health and limited economic opportunity.

A Continental Turning Point

Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050, adding over one billion people. As the continent’s demographic weight grows, the average African lifespan becomes a key measure of how effectively nations are converting growth into human well-being.

Progress in vaccination programs, reductions in child mortality, and rising female education rates are already pushing life expectancy upward across most regions. Yet, unless the lowest-performing countries make faster gains, the continental average will remain below the global threshold for decades to come.

The Broader Global Picture

Globally, the life expectancy gap between the highest- and lowest-ranking regions is narrowing but Africa remains the exception. While Asia and Latin America saw rapid improvements through the late 20th century, many African countries continue to experience uneven progress due to recurrent shocks from pandemics and economic crises to climate-related stress and conflict.

Still, there’s room for optimism: over the past 30 years, Africa’s life expectancy has increased by nearly 10 years on average. That trajectory suggests resilience and potential, even in the face of structural challenges.

Looking Ahead

The numbers in this visual are a mirror of Africa’s development story. A story of contrast, progress, and potential. Closing the 22-year gap will depend on sustained investment in public health, nutrition, education, and peacebuilding, supported by regional collaboration and innovation in healthcare delivery.

If these efforts continue, Africa could see not only longer lives, but healthier, more productive ones, a foundation for the continent’s next phase of growth.