WHO Reveals Global Life Hopes Drop 1.8 Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a decline in global life expectancy. The decline was 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021, which is the largest decline in history.

Quoted from the official WHO website, Saturday, May 17, 2025, the 2025 World Health Statistics report stated that the decline in life expectancy was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic not only claimed lives, but also affected the quality of life of the people around the world.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been an increase in cases of anxiety and depression. Mental health problems are now attacking the world community, affecting efforts to suppress other health problems, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Access to essential health services has not improved to date. It is estimated that only 431 million people can get health services without financial difficulties, and only 637 million people have health emergency protection.

These figures are not in accordance with global health goals. It also shows that the global health system is still below standard.

"This report shows that the world failed its health check," said WHO Assistant Director General, Dr. Samira Asma.

Thus, WHO says building a strong health system is urgently needed to advance world health. Not only that, but it also needs high investment in qualified medical staff.

"But it also shows that progress may be made, if countries act quickly and make smart health investments," he added.

The WHO also urges state governments to act to improve the health system, ensure easy access to health services, and invest in reliable health data to produce better health-related decisions.