Average life expectancy, which had been rising for decades across the globe, fell sharply in 2020 and 2021, when the novel coronavirus pandemic reached its peak, according to a study published today in the digital edition of the scientific journal Lancet.

According to the study, life expectancy has shrunk during this time in the vast majority (84%) of the more than 200 countries and regions examined by the researchers, in other words almost across the globe.

On average, based on all the data considered, life expectancy fell by a year and a half more per capita in 2020-2021 (–1.6 years). This translates into an excess mortality of 15.9 million deaths, somewhat higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) reference number of about 15 million.

“In terms of adults worldwide, the COVID pandemic has had an impact that has not been matched in half a century, even when wars and natural disasters are taken into account,” said the study’s lead author, Austin Schumacher of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

However, this type of study does not allow for a clear distinction to be made between deaths that were directly due to the disease and those that were due to its consequences and the restrictions implemented to limit the spread of the pandemic.

Elsewhere, the study brings rather good news: child mortality continued to decline over the period under review.

Among children under five, there were 500,000 fewer deaths in 2021 than in 2019.

Hmue Hmue Qiu, another IHME researcher, speaks of “excellent progress” referring to this data, while she considers that the priority should now be given to preventing “the next pandemic” and “reducing the great inequalities from one country to the next.” other in terms of health”.