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China vs Italy Life expectancy
Italy has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 China stood at roughly 48% of Italy’s Life expectancy; today the figure is about 93%, and the pair was closest in 2020 (95%).
| Year | China | Italy | Italy as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 69.12 | 33.42 | 48% |
| 1970 | 71.56 | 56.82 | 79% |
| 1980 | 73.94 | 64.24 | 87% |
| 1990 | 76.97 | 68.16 | 89% |
| 2000 | 79.78 | 72.29 | 91% |
| 2010 | 82.04 | 75.67 | 92% |
| 2020 | 82.2 | 78.02 | 95% |
| 2024 | 83.95 | 78.02 | 93% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Italy pass China in Life expectancy?
It has not come to that. Italy has posted the larger Life expectancy in every published year (1960–2024).
How do China and Italy compare today?
Italy is ahead: 83.95 against 78.02 — the trailing economy stands at about 93% 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: