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Life Expectancy in Iraq

A baby born in Iraq in 2024 can expect to live 72.4 years on average — 1.1 years less than the world average of 73.5.

Overall72.4years
Men70.5world: 71.1
Women74.2world: 76.0
World rank#132of 217
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Life expectancy in Iraq since 1960

40506070801960197019801990200020102020
  • Women
  • Men

Since 1960, life expectancy in Iraq has risen by 20.9 years, from 51.5 to 72.4. During the COVID-19 pandemic it fell by 1.5 years (from 71.2 in 2019 to 69.7 in 2020) and has since recovered. Women live 3.7 years longer than men (74.2 vs 70.5).

Expected age at death in Iraq by age

Life expectancy at birth includes deaths in childhood. Once people reach adulthood they can expect to live longer — here is the average expected age at death for people who have already reached each age:

Current ageBirth20406080
Men70.572.673.576.384.8
Women74.276.477.279.486.4

Birth: World Bank. Other ages: our survival model calibrated to Iraq’s figures (method).

How people die in Iraq

  • Chronic diseases: 67.1%
  • Infections, maternal & nutritional: 15.3%
  • Injuries: 17.6%

In 2019, 67% of deaths in Iraq were caused by chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes (world: 74%). A Iraq man has a 27% chance and a woman 20% of dying of one of these diseases between the ages of 30 and 70 (world: 21% and 16%). Road traffic accidents kill 27.3 people per 100,000 each year (world: 16.7).

See which causes of death are most likely for you →

Child mortality

Out of every 1,000 babies born in Iraq, about 21.8 die before their fifth birthday (world: 37.4). This is one of the main reasons life expectancy at birth differs so much between countries.

Iraq compared with its region

Iraq is in the World Bank’s Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan region, where the average life expectancy is 75.9 years. It ranks #16 of 23 countries there.

#CountryOverallMenWomen
12Tunisia76.774.179.3
13Algeria76.575.177.9
14Morocco75.573.377.8
15Syria72.670.274.9
16Iraq72.470.574.2
17Egypt71.869.774.0
18Libya71.169.672.7
19Yemen69.467.471.5
20Palestine69.265.274.3

See all 217 countries ranked →

Frequently asked questions

What is the life expectancy in Iraq?

72.4 years in 2024: 70.5 for men and 74.2 for women, according to the World Bank.

Do women live longer than men in Iraq?

Yes. Women in Iraq live about 3.7 years longer than men. Worldwide the gap is 4.9 years in favour of women.

How does Iraq rank for life expectancy?

Iraq ranks #132 out of 217 countries and territories with data. That is 1.1 years below the world average of 73.5.

What is the average age of death in Iraq?

Life expectancy at birth (72.4) is pulled down by deaths in childhood. Adults live longer: a 40-year-old man in Iraq can expect to live to about 73.5, and a 40-year-old woman to about 77.2.

Sources

  • World Bank, World Development Indicators: life expectancy at birth (SP.DYN.LE00.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN), under-5 mortality (SH.DYN.MORT), causes of death (SH.DTH.NCOM.ZS, SH.DTH.INJR.ZS), mortality from major chronic diseases (SH.DYN.NCOM.MA.ZS, SH.DYN.NCOM.FE.ZS) and road traffic deaths (SH.STA.TRAF.P5). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Link

Data updated October 25, 2026.

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