Life expectancy

Why is this important for social statistics?

Life expectancy gives a summary measure of the death and survival rates of the population.

This indicator measures the average length of life remaining at different ages. It assumes people experience the age-specific death rates of a given period from the given age onwards.

These are period life expectancy measures. They are likely to underestimate the actual life expectancy of people, because death rates are likely to keep declining during people's lifetimes. For an indication of actual (cohort) life expectancy, see How long will I live?

Most recent data

Figure 1

See information about this data.

Figure 2

The graph below is interactive. Hover over data points to see exact values. Click legend text to hide or show variables.

See information about this data.

Figure 3

See information about this data.

Figure 4

The graph below is interactive. Hover over data points to see exact values. Click legend text to hide or show variables.

See information about this data.

Figure 5

Life expectancy at birth
By OECD country
2014

See information about this data. ^{Source: OECD}

Information about the New Zealand data

Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4

Date published: Complete period life tables 2012–14 published in May 2015 (figures 2 and 4). Abridged period life tables 2014–16 published in 2017 (figures 1 and 3).
Next update expected: New Zealand Abridged Period Life Table: 2014–16 (final) published in May 2017.
Update frequency:
- Complete period life tables (New Zealand): Five-yearly
- Abridged period life tables (New Zealand): Annually
- Abridged period life tables (subnational): Five-yearly
- Complete cohort life tables (New Zealand): Annually
Geographic coverage: National and subnational. Abridged period life tables are available for regional council and selected territorial authority areas.
Demographic information available? Yes
Internationally recognised measure? Yes
Source: Statistics NZ. Life expectancies come from life tables, which are based on deaths registered in New Zealand and the estimated resident population.
Purpose of the survey or data: Life tables provide a basic demographic tool for analysing mortality and survival. They show death and survivorship rates at each age of life.
Data quality: New Zealand Period Life Tables: 2012–14 – data quality

Information about the international data

Figure 5

Date published: August 2016
Next update expected: 2017
Update frequency: Annually
Geographic coverage: OECD countries
Source: OECD. Complete databases are available via OECD’s iLibrary.
Purpose of the survey or data: To provide data and metadata on life expectancy for OECD countries and selected non-member countries.
Data quality: Quality framework for OECD statistical activities

Want to know more?

Statistics NZ – Life expectancy
Statistics NZ – New Zealand period life tables
Statistics NZ – Deaths
Statistics NZ – Estimates and projections
OECD – Life expectancy data
OECD — OECD health statistics 2016: Definitions, sources, and methods (PDF, 18kb)
Ministry of Social Development – The Social Report 2016 – Te pūrongo oranga tangata