According to the latest data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) under the report “Life Tables 2022–2024,” the average life expectancy at birth in Türkiye has increased to 78.1 years. This figure reflects a steady improvement from the 77.3 years recorded during the previous 2021–2023 period, suggesting gradual gains in public health and living conditions across the country.
The new data underscores longstanding gender disparities in longevity. Life expectancy at birth for men was recorded at 75.5 years, while for women, it reached 80.7 years—marking a significant 5.2-year difference in favor of women.
Age-Based Expectations Reveal Continuing Gender Gaps
Life expectancy continues to decline with age, but gender gaps persist at all stages. At age 15—the typical beginning of working life—the average remaining life expectancy is 64.3 years. This figure drops to 61.7 years for men and rises to 66.9 years for women.
For those aged 30, life expectancy diverges further. Men at this age are expected to live another 47.5 years, while women can expect 52.3 more years, creating a 4.8-year gender gap.
By age 50, the average remaining life span in Türkiye is 30.9 years. Men are projected to live another 28.6 years, while women can expect 33.1 more years. Even at age 65, the difference remains prominent: men are expected to live 16.3 more years, and women 19.6—resulting in a 3.3-year gender gap at senior age.
Education Strongly Linked to Longevity
Perhaps the most significant insight from the report is the strong correlation between education level and life expectancy. Individuals with higher educational attainment were found to live significantly longer than those with lower levels of education.
At age 30, individuals with tertiary (higher) education are expected to live about five years longer than those with education levels below secondary school. This trend holds true for both men and women, highlighting education as a key determinant of long-term health outcomes.
The findings suggest that better-educated individuals not only benefit from higher incomes and improved healthcare access, but also from healthier lifestyles and increased health literacy—all of which contribute to longer life expectancy.
Men Outpace Women
The report also introduced updated statistics on “healthy life expectancy,” defined as the number of years a person is expected to live without limitations in daily activities due to health problems. At birth, this figure stands at 57.6 years for the general population.
Interestingly, men appear to have a slight advantage in this regard: their healthy life expectancy is 58.9 years, compared to 56.3 years for women. This 2.6-year difference reverses the general longevity trend and raises questions about the quality of those extra years women live.
Experts suggest that while women tend to live longer, they may face a higher burden of chronic conditions and disability in older age. In contrast, men may live fewer years but spend a larger portion of their lives in better health.
Policy Implications and Regional Equity Challenges
As Türkiye continues to navigate the complexities of an aging population, these findings carry significant implications for public health planning, social security systems, and workforce dynamics. With the median age steadily rising, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, especially for lower-educated and rural populations, becomes more urgent.
The persistent gender gaps also call for gender-specific policy approaches, particularly in elderly care and chronic disease management. Furthermore, the difference in healthy life expectancy highlights the need to focus not just on extending life, but on improving its quality.
A Nation Living Longer, But Not Equally
Türkiye’s rising life expectancy is a sign of progress—but disparities in gender, education, and health status reveal that not all citizens are benefiting equally from these gains. Continued investment in education, preventive healthcare, and health equity will be crucial for ensuring that the years added to life are truly lived well.
