Key Takeaways
- Life expectancy in Canada has increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 82.16 years in 2024
- Women are living longer than men, with an average life expectancy of 84.29 years
- Men saw a higher increase in life expectancy, with an average gain of 0.55 years
- Western Canada saw the highest increases in life expectancy, with Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia leading the way
- Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for over 26% of all deaths
Introduction to Life Expectancy in Canada
Life expectancy in Canada has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to Statistics Canada. The agency reported that life expectancy at birth increased for the second consecutive year in 2024, rising from 81.68 years in 2023 to 82.16 years in 2024. This represents a gain of 0.48 years and brings the country’s life expectancy close to the pre-pandemic level of 82.22 years in 2019. The increase in life expectancy is a positive trend, and it is likely due to a combination of factors, including improvements in healthcare and a decrease in mortality rates.
Regional Variations in Life Expectancy
There are significant regional variations in life expectancy across Canada. Western Canada saw the highest increases in life expectancy at birth from 2023 to 2024, with Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia leading the way. Saskatchewan saw an increase of 0.68 years, Alberta saw an increase of 0.82 years, and British Columbia saw an increase of 0.62 years. In British Columbia, life expectancy for women surpassed the 2019 pre-pandemic level, reaching 85.07 years in 2024. These regional variations highlight the importance of understanding the local factors that contribute to life expectancy and developing targeted strategies to improve health outcomes.
Causes of Death in Canada
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for more than one in four (26.2%) deaths in the country. Heart disease is the second most common cause of death, accounting for 17.7% of all deaths. Other common causes of death include accidents, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, COVID-19, and liver disease. The number of deaths attributed to influenza and pneumonia increased by 20% from 2023 to 2024, moving it from the eighth leading cause of death in 2023 to the sixth in 2024. Dementia deaths also increased during this period, rising by 4.8% and accounting for 27,825 deaths. Understanding the leading causes of death is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and improving health outcomes.
Trends in Life Expectancy
The trend of increasing life expectancy in Canada is a positive one, and it is likely due to a combination of factors, including improvements in healthcare and a decrease in mortality rates. The fact that men saw a higher increase in life expectancy than women is interesting, and it may be due to a variety of factors, including changes in lifestyle and health behaviors. The regional variations in life expectancy also highlight the importance of understanding the local factors that contribute to health outcomes and developing targeted strategies to improve health outcomes. Overall, the data suggests that Canada is making progress in improving life expectancy, but there is still work to be done to address the underlying causes of death and to reduce health inequities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, life expectancy in Canada has increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 82.16 years in 2024. The regional variations in life expectancy highlight the importance of understanding the local factors that contribute to health outcomes and developing targeted strategies to improve health outcomes. Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, and understanding the underlying causes of death is crucial for developing effective public health strategies. The trend of increasing life expectancy is a positive one, and it is likely due to a combination of factors, including improvements in healthcare and a decrease in mortality rates. As Canada continues to make progress in improving life expectancy, it is essential to address the underlying causes of death and to reduce health inequities to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives.
