For the initial time since the coronavirus outbreak, life span increases once more.
During the coronavirus outbreak, Germany's typical lifespan was on a steady decline. However, in 2023, it saw an improvement for the first time since the pandemic began. Even the gap between the eastern and western regions of Germany is gradually shrinking.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average lifespan in 2023 was 0.4 years longer than the year prior. In 2022, the average lifespan at birth was 83.3 years for women and 78.6 years for men.
The average lifespan had dropped by 0.6 years between 2020 and 2022, primarily due to the pandemic. While it did increase in 2023, Germany hasn't yet returned to the lifespan levels of 2019. However, experts are noting a significant catching up trend.
The disparities between east and west caused by the pandemic have started to even out. In 2022, life expectancy increased in the eastern region, while it declined in the western region. In 2023, both regions witnessed an increase, with the eastern region showing a slightly more significant improvement.
Women in both regions have relatively similar lifespans, but men in the western region live an average of 1.4 years longer than their eastern counterparts. In 2021, this gap grew to 2.3 years.
Statisticians explain that "life expectancy at birth" is a value that takes into account mortality rates across all age groups, irrespective of population size or age structure. It's particularly useful for time comparisons.
Despite its name, it's not a prediction for those born in 2023. For a more accurate estimate, boys born in 2023 could potentially live between 81 and 90 years, while girls might live between 85 and 93 years, depending on future trends.
The statistics from the Federal Statistical Office reveal that the average lifespan in 2023 was 0.4 years longer than in 2022. Analyzing the statistics also shows that while Germany hasn't fully recovered from the pandemic-induced decline, there's a significant catching up trend in lifespan levels.
