Taiwan’s average life expectancy climbed to 81.27 years last year, recovering ground as the acute disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic recedded, according to official data released by the Ministry of the Interior. While the national figure remains slightly below the peak recorded in 2020, the island’s longevity numbers continue to outpace global averages by a considerable margin.
Understanding Taiwan’s 2025 Longevity Rebound
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan’s average life expectancy increased from 80.77 a year earlier to 81.27 last year. This upward trajectory coincides with a drop in overall mortality. The number of deaths moved lower for the third consecutive year as pandemic impacts eased, falling by 1,674 from the previous year to 199,639.
Despite this progress, national longevity has not yet fully matched the pre-COVID-19 peak of 81.32 set in 2020. Even so, the local figures remain comfortably ahead of international benchmarks. Global life expectancy sits at an average of 73.5 years, according to ministry figures. Gender disparities persist in the local data, mirroring global health trends. Women in Taiwan reached an average life expectancy of 84.75 years—fully returning to their 2020 peak—while men reached 77.93 years, remaining slightly below their corresponding 2020 high of 78.11.
Regional Divides: Taipei Leads While Taitung Lags
A closer look at individual administrative regions reveals a pronounced geographical divide in longevity across the island. Taipei recorded the highest average life expectancy in the country at 83.98 years, advancing from 83.4 in 2024. The capital was followed by Hsinchu City at 82.13 years and New Taipei City at 81.54 years.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Taitung County reported the lowest average life expectancy at 76.49 years. It stood as the sole administrative area in Taiwan to drop below the 77-year threshold. The urban-rural gap is similarly visible in gender-specific breakdowns. Taipei women registered a life expectancy of 86.74 years, leading Hsinchu City’s 85.2 years. For men, Taipei likewise paced the nation at 81.1 years, followed by Hsinchu City at 79.1 years. Meanwhile, Taitung recorded the lowest regional figures for both demographics, posting 81.54 years for women and 72.3 years for men. Ministry officials noted that these statistics excluded Kinmen County, which experienced a heavy population outflow, and Lienchiang County.
Weighing Local Data Against Global Benchmarks
To contextualize these findings, demographers often look at how regional populations compare internationally. Taiwan’s female average of 84.75 years and male average of 77.93 years both exceed global norms, where women average 76.2 years and men average 70.9 years.
As health authorities analyze the three-year decline in total deaths—which saw older adults aged 65 and above account for 151,936 deaths, or 76.1 percent of the national total—the focus shifts toward managing an aging society.
