Life expectancy at birth in India stood at 72.24 years in 2024, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 0.3% from 72 years in 2023. Ten years earlier, in 2014, the value was 68.93 years (up 4.8% since). The latest value is the highest since 1960; the lowest was 45.56 years in 1965. India ranked 137th highest of the 217 countries in this dataset in 2024; Monaco ranked first.
Data source: World Bank · Unit: years · Category: Demographics · Explore more indicators on EconDash
| Indicator | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Category | Demographics |
| Unit | years |
| Source | World Bank |
| Interactive chart | View on EconDash |
| API access | EconDash API documentation |
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World Bank. (2026). Life expectancy at birth — India [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/IND. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=IN
World Bank. "Life expectancy at birth — India." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/IND. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=IN.
World Bank. 2026. "Life expectancy at birth — India." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/IND. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=IN.
@misc{econdash_life_expectancy_at_birth_ind,
author = {{World Bank}},
title = {{Life expectancy at birth --- India}},
howpublished = {EconDash},
year = {2026},
url = {https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/IND},
note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=IN}
}
India 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. Compiled and standardized by the World Bank (indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN) and the UN Population Division, the series provides a comprehensive record of public health and demographic development in India. In 2024, life expectancy in India reached an all-time record of 72.24 years (72.235 years), ranking #137 globally among 217 nations.
Long-Term Longevity Gains & Post-Pandemic Rebound: Over the 65-year period between 1960 and 2024, life expectancy in India surged by +26.63 years (+58.4%) from 45.61 years in 1960 and 62.75 years in 2000. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy peaked at 70.75 years in 2019 before dropping sharply to 67.28 years in 2021 (-3.46 years) due to pandemic mortality. Strong recovery brought the indicator to 71.70 years in 2022, 72.00 years in 2023, and a new high of 72.24 years in 2024 (+0.23 years YoY).
Regional & Global Context: India's life expectancy (72.24 years) places it in the upper-middle tier of developing economies. In South Asia, India ranks 3rd, behind Sri Lanka (77.67 years, #78) and Bangladesh (74.93 years, #107), but ahead of Nepal (70.64 years, #150) and Pakistan (67.80 years, #169). Globally, it trails leading nations including Japan (84.04 years, #10), the United States (78.89 years, #61), and China (78.02 years, #70).
In 2024, life expectancy at birth in India reached an all-time high of 72.24 years (72.235 years), according to official World Bank World Development Indicators data. This represents an increase of +0.23 years compared to 72.00 years in 2023.
India ranked 137th out of 217 countries and territories globally in 2024 with an average life expectancy of 72.24 years. Leading countries include Japan (84.04 years, 10th), the United States (78.89 years, 61st), and China (78.02 years, 70th).
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp temporary drop in India's life expectancy from 70.75 years in 2019 to 67.28 years in 2021 (a contraction of -3.46 years). However, life expectancy rebounded sharply to 71.70 years in 2022 and exceeded pre-pandemic levels to reach 72.24 years by 2024.
In South Asia, India's life expectancy of 72.24 years (ranked 137th globally) trails Sri Lanka (77.67 years, 78th) and Bangladesh (74.93 years, 107th), while ranking higher than Nepal (70.64 years, 150th) and Pakistan (67.80 years, 169th).
Browse indicators available for India. Click any indicator to view its interactive chart, compare with other countries, and download historical data.
| Demographics | 48 indicators |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 50 indicators |
| Macroeconomics | 165 indicators |
| Real Estate | 3 indicators |
| Education | 38 indicators |
| Commodities and Energy | 106 indicators |
| Technology and Internet | 9 indicators |
| Transport and Logistics | 22 indicators |
| Labor and Employment | 43 indicators |
| Financial Markets | 39 indicators |
| Total indicators | 523 |