Life Expectancy at Birth: New Zealand
New Zealand's life expectancy at birth is currently 82.01 years as of 2024. # New Zealand Life Expectancy at Birth New Zealand's life expectancy at birth reached 82.
Current (2024)
82.01 years
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2020)
82.256 years
Low (1961)
70.985 years
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Life Expectancy at Birth — New Zealand
1960 — 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth — New Zealand
Analysis# New Zealand Life Expectancy at Birth
New Zealand's life expectancy at birth reached 82.01 years in 2024, reflecting steady improvement over six decades. The country peaked at 82.256 years in 2020, while the 1961 low of 70.985 years marks a dramatic 15.1% gain across the full dataset. This sustained upward trajectory demonstrates the long-term success of New Zealand's healthcare and living standards since 1960.
Recent years reveal a slight plateau rather than continued acceleration. Life expectancy climbed steadily from 2015 (81.612 years) through 2020's peak, then fluctuated between 81.76 and 82.26 years through 2024. The minor dip to 81.759 years in 2023 before recovering to 82.01 suggests stability at current levels rather than new growth, indicating New Zealand may be approaching natural limits in life extension without major healthcare innovations.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82.01 years | +0.31% |
| 2023 | 81.759 years | -0.24% |
| 2022 | 81.959 years | -0.30% |
| 2021 | 82.207 years | -0.06% |
| 2020 | 82.256 years | +0.24% |
| 2019 | 82.056 years | +0.43% |
| 2018 | 81.707 years | -0.19% |
| 2017 | 81.859 years | +0.24% |
| 2016 | 81.659 years | +0.06% |
| 2015 | 81.612 years | +0.19% |
| 2014 | 81.457 years | +0.06% |
| 2013 | 81.405 years | -0.00% |
| 2012 | 81.407 years | +0.31% |
| 2011 | 81.156 years | +0.31% |
| 2010 | 80.905 years | +0.25% |
| 2009 | 80.702 years | +0.44% |
| 2008 | 80.351 years | +0.25% |
| 2007 | 80.151 years | +0.13% |
| 2006 | 80.049 years | +0.25% |
| 2005 | 79.851 years | +0.38% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 79.549 years | +0.51% |
| 2003 | 79.146 years | +0.38% |
| 2002 | 78.846 years | +0.19% |
| 2001 | 78.693 years | +0.07% |
| 2000 | 78.637 years | +0.96% |
| 1999 | 77.89 years | -0.25% |
| 1998 | 78.085 years | +0.97% |
| 1997 | 77.334 years | +0.71% |
| 1996 | 76.788 years | +0.07% |
| 1995 | 76.734 years | -0.19% |
| 1994 | 76.883 years | +0.59% |
| 1993 | 76.434 years | +0.41% |
| 1992 | 76.124 years | +0.12% |
| 1991 | 76.032 years | +0.87% |
| 1990 | 75.378 years | +0.74% |
| 1989 | 74.824 years | +0.54% |
| 1988 | 74.424 years | +0.33% |
| 1987 | 74.178 years | +0.08% |
| 1986 | 74.122 years | +0.40% |
| 1985 | 73.829 years | -0.73% |
| 1984 | 74.371 years | +0.81% |
| 1983 | 73.776 years | +0.07% |
| 1982 | 73.724 years | +0.14% |
| 1981 | 73.622 years | +1.09% |
| 1980 | 72.829 years | -0.33% |
| 1979 | 73.068 years | +0.07% |
| 1978 | 73.02 years | +1.18% |
| 1977 | 72.168 years | -0.35% |
| 1976 | 72.422 years | +0.28% |
| 1975 | 72.22 years | +0.41% |
| 1974 | 71.924 years | +0.36% |
| 1973 | 71.668 years | -0.22% |
| 1972 | 71.829 years | +0.08% |
| 1971 | 71.773 years | +0.70% |
| 1970 | 71.273 years | -0.28% |
| 1969 | 71.473 years | +0.49% |
| 1968 | 71.124 years | -0.49% |
| 1967 | 71.473 years | +0.49% |
| 1966 | 71.124 years | -0.14% |
| 1965 | 71.227 years | -0.14% |
| 1964 | 71.329 years | +0.07% |
| 1963 | 71.28 years | +0.07% |
| 1962 | 71.232 years | +0.35% |
| 1961 | 70.985 years | -0.35% |
| 1960 | 71.237 years | — |
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