Life expectancy at birth in Chile is 81.4 years, according to World Bank data for 2024. Women live 83.2 years on average and men 79.5. In 1960, a Chilean lived 57.2 years on average: more than 24 years of life were gained in six decades.
Life expectancy in Chile by decade
| Year | Total | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 57.2 | 59.8 | 54.8 |
| 1970 | 62.6 | 65.7 | 59.8 |
| 1980 | 69.5 | 72.7 | 66.4 |
| 1990 | 73.7 | 76.8 | 70.5 |
| 2000 | 77.1 | 80.1 | 74.0 |
| 2010 | 79.1 | 81.5 | 76.6 |
| 2020 | 79.3 | 82.0 | 76.8 |
| 2024 | 81.4 | 83.2 | 79.5 |
The biggest jump came between 1960 and 1990, when life expectancy rose by more than 16 years thanks to lower infant mortality, access to drinking water and vaccines.
The pandemic's impact
The series shows the blow from covid-19. Life expectancy fell from 80.3 years in 2019 to 78.9 in 2021 and recovered afterwards: it reached 81.2 in 2023 and 81.4 in 2024.
| Year | Life expectancy (World Bank) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 80.3 |
| 2020 | 79.3 |
| 2021 | 78.9 |
| 2022 | 79.2 |
| 2023 | 81.2 |
| 2024 | 81.4 |
Chile compared with other countries
Among the countries in the table, Chile has the highest life expectancy in the region, just above Costa Rica, and it is higher than in the United States.
| Country | Life expectancy 2024 (years) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 84.0 |
| Spain | 83.9 |
| Chile | 81.4 |
| Costa Rica | 81.0 |
| United States | 78.9 |
| Uruguay | 78.3 |
| Peru | 77.9 |
| Colombia | 77.9 |
| Argentina | 77.5 |
| Brazil | 76.0 |
| Mexico | 75.3 |
Why women live longer
The gap between women and men in Chile is almost four years. The pattern repeats almost everywhere and is linked to biological factors and to differences in risk behavior, accidents and cardiovascular disease, which affect men more and earlier. In Chile, the gap has narrowed: in 1980 it was more than six years.
What longer lives mean for the country
- Pensions: more years of life mean more years of pension payments.
- Health: chronic age-related diseases increase.
- Work: more people stay active after 65.
- Population: Chile is aging; see how Chile's population has changed.
Frequently asked questions
What is life expectancy in Chile?
81.4 years at birth in 2024, according to the World Bank.
How long do women and men live in Chile?
Women live 83.2 years on average and men 79.5.
What was life expectancy in Chile in 1960?
57.2 years, according to the World Bank.
Does Chile have the highest life expectancy in Latin America?
Among the countries compared here, yes: 81.4 years, just above Costa Rica (81.0).
