The life expectancy of people in the countries of the European Union decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 and 2019, according to the latest data from the European statistics agency Eurostat, published today.

The average life expectancy of a child born in the EU in 2021 is expected to reach 80.1 years, possibly due to the sharp rise in mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Life expectancy was slightly higher in 2020 (80.4 years) and significantly higher in 2019 (81.3 years). 

Life expectancy in 2021 continues to be higher for girls born that year (82.9 years) than for boys (77.2 years). 

The average life expectancy of those born in Bulgaria in 2021 is expected to be the lowest among all EU countries (71.4 years).

Romania (72.8 years) and Latvia (73.1 years) follow.

The EU country with the highest average life expectancy for those born in 2021 is Spain (83.3 years), followed by Sweden (83.1 years), Luxembourg and Italy (82.7 years each).

European Union

life expectancy