Armenia's life expectancy reaches record high in 2024

Life expectancy in Armenia reached a historic high of 78.6 years in 2024, continuing a long-term upward trend, according to the Heratsi Research Center.

Women in Armenia now live an average of 81.7 years, while men average 75.1 years. The figure marks a significant increase from 72.9 years in 2000. Armenia ranks among the leading former Soviet countries in life expectancy, trailing only the Baltic states.

Globally, average life expectancy rose to about 73.3 years in 2024. The highest levels – between 84 and 86 years – were recorded in Monaco, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, while the lowest, around 53 years, remain concentrated in several African countries, including the Central African Republic, Lesotho and Chad.

Health experts attribute rising longevity partly to lifestyle factors, emphasizing the importance of varied physical activity. Recent research analyzing data from more than 110,000 participants over 30 years found that individuals engaging in diverse forms of exercise had a 19% lower risk of death from all causes compared to those with less variety.

The findings, published in BMJ Medicine, suggest that alternating activities such as walking, swimming, yoga and gardening may be more beneficial than repeating a single exercise for longer durations.

U.S. health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly, along with muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week. Experts say varying workouts can also reduce injury risk and prevent performance plateaus.

Specialists further advise incorporating rest days for recovery while maintaining light movement, noting that consistent activity, even simple exercises at home or work, contributes to overall health and longevity.