COVID-19 Pandemic
Global changes in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic Hoi Ting (Alexandra) Law* Hoi Ting (Alexandra) LAW LAW WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Background: Different countries experienced varying changes in life expectancy (LE) during the COVID-19 pandemic; the drivers explaining these different trajectories are unexplored.
Methods: We reviewed LE data from 1998-2023 for 183 countries and regions. We classified countries into 12 categories based on their economic levels and which year they had the largest LE reduction. In each category, we conducted principal coordinates analysis to explore similarities between demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination coverage, and public health and social measures (PHSMs) implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic, and regression to investigate significant factors behind LE changes in each year of the pandemic.
Results: The LE of less developed countries, particularly those with a low proportion of older adults, were able to resume the increasing pre-pandemic trend in 2023, while the developed economies could not. The strictness and consistency of PHSMs and the social development level of countries were crucial in affecting the LE in 2020, while COVID-19 vaccination rates became more influential in 2021-2022.
Conclusions: Stringent interventions and COVID-19 vaccination rates play significant roles in influencing LE changes in the pandemic. Targeted PHSMs for vulnerable populations will be essential to restore LE to the increasing trends.