India’s Life Expectancy (LE) has risen steadily to over 70 years, but the quality of those years is undermined by non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illness, which now account for nearly two‑thirds of all deaths.
Women live longer than men, yet their Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) gains remain limited due to anaemia, pain disorders, gynaecological diseases and mental health burdens.
Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) is a metric that adjusts the LE by discounting the time spent with illnesses, disability, chronic pain and poor health
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| Source: The Hindu |
Life Expectancy Trends in India
- Overall life expectancy (LE): ~70 years in 2026, up from ~63 years in 2000.[^1]
- Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE): ~61 years, showing that nearly a decade of life is lived with illness or disability.[^1]
- Gender gap: Women outlive men by ~3 years, but their HALE advantage is smaller due to chronic health conditions.[^1]
Role of Non‑Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
According to the India NCD Alliance Report (2025):
NCDs cause 62–66% of all deaths in India.[^2]
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading killer, responsible for nearly 28% of deaths.
Diabetes prevalence has doubled in two decades.
Chronic respiratory diseases (like COPD and asthma) contribute ~10% of mortality, worsened by air pollution.
Cancers account for ~9% of deaths, with cervical and breast cancer leading among women.
Other Major Causes
Child mortality: In 2023, 2.8% of children under five died.[^3]
Malnutrition: Contributes to nearly half of child deaths, weakening immunity and recovery.[^3]
Anaemia in women: Over 53.7% of Indian women of reproductive age are anaemic, nearly double the global average.[^1]
Why Nutritional Awareness Matters
NCD prevention: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduce risks of heart disease and diabetes.
Anaemia reduction: Iron‑fortified foods and awareness campaigns can improve maternal and child health.
Economic impact: Nearly one‑third of Indian households spend >40% of discretionary budgets on health, making prevention far more cost‑effective than treatment.[^2]
Takeaway
India’s rising life expectancy masks a troubling reality: longer lives are not necessarily healthier lives. Tackling NCDs through nutrition awareness, preventive healthcare, and equitable access to treatment is critical. Without these measures, millions of Indians — especially women — will continue to live longer but spend more of those years in poor health.
References (3)
[^1]: World health statistics 2026 - World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/publications/b/82976
[^2]: Report on Non‐Communicable Diseases and Health Equity in India. https://www.knowledge-action-portal.com/sites/default/files/2026-01/Report on NCDs and Health Equity in India.pdf
[^3]: India - Health Country Profile - Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/profile/health/india
Co-written with Copilot