China’s average life expectancy has climbed to 79 years in 2024, marking a notable increase from last year, a senior health official announced on Sunday. This milestone exceeds the goals set in the Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), highlighting strides in public health and wellness.
Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, shared the news at a press conference. “Achieving these results hasn’t been easy,” Lei stated, pointing out that in places where life expectancy is already over 75 years, annual gains are usually just 0.1 to 0.2 years.
Compared to 53 middle- and high-income countries, China ranks fourth in life expectancy. Within the G20 group, China holds the tenth spot with its life expectancy of 79 years, according to Lei.
This progress reflects the positive impact of traditional culture, healthier lifestyles, and national health initiatives like the Healthy China campaign. “Prioritizing health development has directly improved public health,” Lei concluded.
