Life expectancy in CEE rises, yet healthy life years remain below average

Today, we look at the longevity in the region. In 2023, life expectancy at birth in the EU was 81.4 years, marking an increase of 0.8 years from 2022. After having declined in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy has reached higher values than in 2019. In the CEE region we see quite a similar development. Life expectancy at birth in CEE8 was at 78.3 years in 2023, increasing after a significant pandemic drop. The life expectancy in Czechia is the highest within the region (79.9) while the lowest is in Serbia, Romania and Hungary (slightly above 76 years). What is more important for the labor market outcomes, however, is the expected number of years in health. And this indicator (Healthy Life Years (HLY) at Birth) is much lower in the region. All CEE countries have expected number of healthy years close to 60 that is below the EU average. In our view, improving health outcomes could enhance longer labor market participation.