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China vs France Life expectancy
France has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 China stood at roughly 48% of France’s Life expectancy; today the figure is about 94%, and the pair was closest in 2022 (95%).
| Year | China | France | France as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 69.87 | 33.42 | 48% |
| 1970 | 71.66 | 56.82 | 79% |
| 1980 | 74.05 | 64.24 | 87% |
| 1990 | 76.6 | 68.16 | 89% |
| 2000 | 79.06 | 72.29 | 91% |
| 2010 | 81.66 | 75.67 | 93% |
| 2020 | 82.18 | 78.02 | 95% |
| 2024 | 82.98 | 78.02 | 94% |
Frequently asked questions
When did France pass China in Life expectancy?
It has not come to that. France has posted the larger Life expectancy in every published year (1960–2024).
How do China and France compare today?
France is ahead: 82.98 against 78.02 — the trailing economy stands at about 94% of the leader.
Are these Life expectancy figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — years — with no interpolation or estimation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: