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South Korea vs United States: Life Expectancy Comparison

Compare Life Expectancy at Birth of South Korea and United States over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2024, South Korea recorded Life Expectancy at Birth of 83.63 years vs 78.89 years for United States (South Korea's Life Expectancy is 4.74 years higher than United States's.).

🇰🇷 South Korea
83.63 years
+10.2% since 2000
🇺🇸 United States
78.89 years
+2.9% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
4.74 years
Latest Year: 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
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2000 2025
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South Korea vs United States All Annual Observations (1960 – 2024)

Complete annual observations of Life Expectancy at Birth for South Korea and United States reported by World Bank.

Year 🇰🇷 South Korea Life Expectancy 🇺🇸 United States Life Expectancy Difference / Gap
2024 83.63 years 78.89 years 4.74 years
2023 83.43 years 78.39 years 5.04 years
2022 82.68 years 77.43 years 5.25 years
2021 83.53 years 76.33 years 7.20 years
2020 83.43 years 76.98 years 6.45 years
2019 83.23 years 78.79 years 4.44 years
2018 82.63 years 78.64 years 3.99 years
2017 82.63 years 78.54 years 4.09 years
2016 82.28 years 78.54 years 3.74 years
2015 82.02 years 78.69 years 3.33 years
2014 81.72 years 78.84 years 2.88 years
2013 81.27 years 78.74 years 2.53 years
2012 80.82 years 78.74 years 2.08 years
2011 80.57 years 78.64 years 1.93 years
2010 80.12 years 78.54 years 1.58 years
2009 79.97 years 78.39 years 1.58 years
2008 79.52 years 78.04 years 1.48 years
2007 79.12 years 77.99 years 1.13 years
2006 78.67 years 77.69 years 0.98 years
2005 78.17 years 77.49 years 0.68 years
2004 77.67 years 77.49 years 0.18 years
2003 77.21 years 77.04 years 0.18 years
2002 76.77 years 76.94 years 0.17 years
2001 76.41 years 76.84 years 0.42 years
2000 75.91 years 76.64 years 0.73 years
1999 75.41 years 76.58 years 1.17 years
1998 75.00 years 76.58 years 1.58 years
1997 74.60 years 76.43 years 1.83 years
1996 74.15 years 76.03 years 1.88 years
1995 73.70 years 75.62 years 1.92 years
1994 73.40 years 75.62 years 2.22 years
1993 73.00 years 75.42 years 2.42 years
1992 72.50 years 75.62 years 3.12 years
1991 72.05 years 75.37 years 3.32 years
1990 71.60 years 75.21 years 3.62 years
1989 71.05 years 75.02 years 3.97 years
1988 70.55 years 74.77 years 4.22 years
1987 70.00 years 74.77 years 4.77 years
1986 69.45 years 74.61 years 5.17 years
1985 68.80 years 74.56 years 5.77 years
1984 68.20 years 74.56 years 6.37 years
1983 67.55 years 74.46 years 6.92 years
1982 67.10 years 74.36 years 7.27 years
1981 66.55 years 74.01 years 7.46 years
1980 66.05 years 73.61 years 7.56 years
1979 65.55 years 73.80 years 8.26 years
1978 65.20 years 73.36 years 8.16 years
1977 64.90 years 73.26 years 8.36 years
1976 64.50 years 72.86 years 8.35 years
1975 64.15 years 72.60 years 8.45 years
1974 63.80 years 71.96 years 8.15 years
1973 63.41 years 71.36 years 7.95 years
1972 63.01 years 71.16 years 8.15 years
1971 62.61 years 71.11 years 8.50 years
1970 62.16 years 70.81 years 8.64 years
1969 61.48 years 70.51 years 9.02 years
1968 60.94 years 69.95 years 9.01 years
1967 60.93 years 70.56 years 9.63 years
1966 55.52 years 70.21 years 14.69 years
1965 55.86 years 70.21 years 14.35 years
1964 55.39 years 70.17 years 14.77 years
1963 55.03 years 69.92 years 14.89 years
1962 55.05 years 70.12 years 15.06 years
1961 54.48 years 70.27 years 15.79 years
1960 53.80 years 69.77 years 15.97 years

Life Expectancy Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2024, South Korea recorded Life Expectancy of 83.63 years, while United States recorded 78.89 years, a difference of 4.74 years.
• 1960 Baseline: South Korea stood at 53.80 years and United States stood at 69.77 years.
• 2000–2024 Trajectory: South Korea moved to 83.63 years (+10.2% since 2000), while United States moved to 78.89 years (+2.9% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2024, South Korea and United States followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, South Korea recorded 53.80 years compared to 69.77 years for United States. By 2024, the values evolved to 83.63 years and 78.89 years respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2024 is 4.74 years.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 83.63 years (South Korea in 2024).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, South Korea achieved +10.2% since 2000, while United States achieved +2.9% since 2000.

About Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing mortality patterns stay constant.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for South Korea and United States.

Frequently Asked Questions — Life Expectancy

What is the Life Expectancy of South Korea?

In 2024, South Korea's Life Expectancy was 83.63 years according to official World Bank data.

What is the Life Expectancy of United States?

In 2024, United States's Life Expectancy was 78.89 years according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Life Expectancy?

In 2024, South Korea recorded a higher Life Expectancy of 83.63 years compared to United States's 78.89 years (a difference of 4.74 years).

How has Life Expectancy changed over time for South Korea and United States?

From 2000 to 2024, South Korea's Life Expectancy changed by +10.2% since 2000, while United States's changed by +2.9% since 2000.

Explore South Korea vs United States Interactively

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.DYN.LE00.IN (Life Expectancy at Birth). Values represent annual life expectancy at birth for South Korea and United States from 1960 through 2024. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.