TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The average life expectancy in Taiwan rose to 80.2 years in 2023, according to data released by the interior ministry on Friday (Aug. 23).

The report said life expectancy rose 0.3 years for men to 76.9 years and 0.5 years for women to 83.7 years compared to 2022, per CNA. Life expectancy in 2022 was seven years higher than the global average for men and nine years higher for women compared to United Nations data released in 2020, the report said.

Taipei recorded the highest life expectancy of 83.32 years, reflecting a trend of longer life expectancies overall in Taiwan’s north. The lowest was in southeastern Taitung County, at 76.04 years, followed by Hualien County which recorded a life expectancy of 77.12 years.

Taitung and Hualien Counties' life expectancies were both below the national average, but the gap closed by 1.2 years and 0.4 years respectively compared to 2022. The ministry also said that over the long term, the average life expectancy in Taiwan has increased steadily.

The report also said 205,202 people died in Taiwan in 2023, a little under 3,000 less compared to the year before.

The report showed life expectancy rose in 2023 for the first time since 2020. The ministry said the COVID-19 pandemic drove down life expectancy in 2021 and particularly in 2022.

Ministry figures for 2024 show that life expectancy is on track to increase again this year.