Taiwan’s Average Life Expectancy Climbs to 81.27 Years in 2025
Taiwan’s average life expectancy reached 81.27 years in 2025, marking an increase of roughly six months from the 80.77 years recorded a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of the Interior (MOI). While the figures demonstrate a steady rebound as the acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to recede, national longevity has not yet fully returned to its pre-pandemic peak of 81.32 years set in 2020.
The updated mortality statistics offer a clear window into the nation’s shifting demographic landscape. Although life expectancy is climbing again, the data highlights persistent regional disparities and a longevity gap between men and women across the island’s administrative districts.
Demographic Shifts and Declining Mortality Rates
The Ministry of the Interior reported that the total number of deaths in Taiwan declined for the third consecutive year in 2025. Total fatalities dropped by 1,674 from the previous year to reach 199,639. Of those deaths, individuals aged 65 or older accounted for 151,936, or roughly 76.1 percent of the national total.
Alongside this downward trend in fatalities, the average crude death rate fell by 0.005 percentage points to settle at 0.885 percent. When broken down by gender, women in Taiwan experienced an average life expectancy increase of 0.45 years to reach 84.75 years, successfully matching their 2020 pre-COVID peak. Men saw a slightly larger relative gain, with average life expectancy rising 0.51 years to 77.93 years. However, male longevity still trails its 2020 peak of 78.11 years.
When measured against global benchmarks, Taiwan continues to perform strongly. The national average of 81.27 years remains well above the global average of 73.5 years for 2025. Regionally, Taiwan’s figures outpace countries like China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, though they continue to lag behind neighbors such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Regional Divides: Taipei Leads While Taitung Lags
Geographic variations in longevity remain stark across Taiwan’s administrative regions. Taipei captured the highest average life expectancy in the country at 83.98 years in 2025, improving upon its 83.40-year average from 2024. The capital was followed by Hsinchu City at 82.13 years and New Taipei City at 81.54 years.
Taipei also claimed the highest gender-specific averages, recording 86.74 years for women and 81.10 years for men. Hsinchu City followed closely in both categories, reporting 85.20 years for female residents and 79.10 years for males.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Taitung County reported the lowest average life expectancy in the country at 76.49 years. It stood as the only administrative area in Taiwan with an average life expectancy below 77 years, posting 81.54 years for women and 72.30 years for men. Ministry officials noted that these regional statistics excluded Kinmen County, which experienced a significant population outflow, and Lienchiang County.
Broader Socioeconomic Indicators and the Gender Gap
The Ministry of the Interior emphasizes that average life expectancy serves as a critical statistical indicator for assessing a nation’s basic health, overall socioeconomic well-being, and global competitiveness. Yet, the data also highlights a persistent demographic puzzle: the gender gap.
In 2025, the difference in life expectancy between men and women in Taiwan stood at roughly 6.82 years. Comparative public health analyses indicate that this gender disparity is relatively wide when placed alongside other advanced Asian economies. For context, the longevity gap between sexes is roughly six years in Japan, 5.8 years in South Korea, and 4.4 years in Singapore.
