The latest report published by the Central Statistical Office shows that in 2023 the average life expectancy of men in Poland was 74.7 years, and for women – 82 years. This is an increase of 1.3 and 0.9 years, respectively, compared to 2022. Compared to 1990, the average life expectancy increased by 8.5 and 6.8 years. The value recorded in 2023 is the highest in the history of the country, and statistics show that Poles are living longer and longer. Despite the positive change, we are still lagging behind many European countries in this respect.
Poles are living longer and longer, but still shorter than in other European countries
According to Eurostat data from 2022 cited in the report Poland in terms of average life expectancy for men (73.4 years), it ranks 28 out of 34. It is ahead of only Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Latvia and Lithuania. In terms of average life expectancy for women (81.1 years), our country ranks 24th. In addition to the countries mentioned above, it is also ahead of Albania, Croatia, Slovakia and Turkey in terms of average life expectancy.
IN Europe the longest life expectancy for men was recorded in Liechtenstein (83 years), Switzerland (81.8 years) and Sweden (81.7 years), and the shortest in Latvia (69.4 years) and Bulgaria (70.6 years). For women, the longest average life expectancy was recorded in Spain (85.9 years) and Switzerland (85.5 years), and the shortest in Bulgaria (77.9 years) and Serbia (77.9 years).
Life expectancy of a newborn in European countries in 2022 (Men) Central Statistical Office, report 'Life expectancy in 2023'
Life expectancy of newborns in European countries in 2022 (Women) Central Statistical Office, report 'Life expectancy in 2023'
Cardiovascular diseases and cancer remain the leading causes of death
In Poland, there is also a relatively high difference between the average life expectancy of men and women. It is 7.7 years. A higher range was found only in Lithuania (8.7 years) and Latvia (10 years) and in Estonia (8.7 years) and Romania (7.9 years). The authors of the report note that higher mortality among men compared to women occurs in almost all age groups in Poland. The main causes of death are also circulatory system diseases, cancers and respiratory diseases. In 2022, they were responsible for over 66% of all deaths.
“The chances of living to see another birthday increase with age”
In 2023, the average life expectancy of 15-year-olds was 60.1 years for boys and 67.4 years for girls. Compared to 1990, this is 7.0 years more for boys and 5.6 years more for girls. In turn, the average life expectancy of 45-year-olds was 31.9 years for men and 38.1 years for women, which compared to 1990 means an increase in the average life expectancy by 5.8 and 5.1 years, respectively,” we learn from the Central Statistical Office report.
If mortality conditions in Poland did not change in the coming years, a newborn born in 2023 would live to the age of 74.7. However, the authors of the study emphasize that the chances of living to the next birthday increase with age. For example, the average life expectancy of a man aged 30 is 45.7 years, which means that on average he would live to the age of 75.7 – one year more than a boy born in 2023. For a man who has turned 60, the average life expectancy is 19.6 years, so on average he would live to the age of 79.6.
Average life expectancy of a newborn in Poland in 1960-2023 Central Statistical Office, report 'Life expectancy in 2023'
People in cities live longer than in the countryside
Differences in life expectancy by place of residence do occur, but are insignificant. In 2023, the average life expectancy for men living in cities was 75 years, and in rural areas – 74.2 years. For women living in cities, life expectancy was 81.9 years, and in rural areas – 81.8 years. The longest life expectancy was noted in the eastern macroregion, where the average life expectancy was 75.1 years for men and 83.2 years for women. The shortest was noted in the central macroregion – 73.4 years for men and 81.6 years for women.
Average life expectancy of a newborn by province in 2022 (Men) Central Statistical Office, report 'Life expectancy in 2023'
Average life expectancy of a newborn by province in 2022 (Women) Central Statistical Office, report 'Life expectancy in 2023'
“Average life expectancy is a key measure for assessing the health of a population. Forecasts published by Eurostat and the UN, based on analyses of changes taking place around the world, predict that average life expectancy will increase in most countries of the world, including Poland,” the authors of the study point out. The full report can be found in database of the Central Statistical Office.