Life Expectancy in British Columbia by Gender (1985–2023)

From 1985–1987 to 2021–2023, life expectancy in British Columbia has risen from 77.49 years to 81.56 years, marking an increase of over 4 years. This steady growth signals progress in public health, medical access, and quality of life.

Key Milestones:

1995–1997: Passed 78 years

2003–2005: Exceeded 80 years

2009–2011: First reached 82 years

2019–2021 onward: Slight decline, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Life Expectancy for Males in British Columbia

Male life expectancy in BC rose from 74.37 years (1985–1987) to 78.88 years (2021–2023), a gain of 4.51 years. However, men consistently live shorter lives than women—on average by 5 to 6 years.

Highlights:

• Crossed 76 years in the late 1990s
• Crossed 78 years around 2007–2009
• Peaked at 80.52 years in 2013–2015 and 2014–2016
• Experienced a post-pandemic dip to 78.88 years

Life Expectancy for Females in British Columbia

Females in British Columbia show an even stronger trajectory, increasing from 80.73 years (1985–1987) to 84.37 years (2021–2023). The gender gap has been relatively consistent over the years, although it has slightly narrowed in the last decade.

Highlights:

• Slight decrease after COVID-19 but still above 84
• Crossed 83 years in the early 2000s
• Exceeded 84 years after 2007–2009
• Peaked at 84.85 years in 2017–2019

Historical Life Expectancy Data in British Columbia:

Year	Both genders	Males	Females
1985 to 1987	77.49	74.37	80.73
1986 to 1988	77.63	74.53	80.83
1987 to 1989	77.72	74.6	80.95
1988 to 1990	77.84	74.79	80.97
1989 to 1991	78.07	75.04	81.18
1990 to 1992	78.26	75.24	81.36
1991 to 1993	78.33	75.3	81.45
1992 to 1994	78.4	75.46	81.41
1993 to 1995	78.55	75.7	81.44
1994 to 1996	78.71	75.9	81.57
1995 to 1997	78.94	76.14	81.79
1996 to 1998	79.16	76.45	81.89
1997 to 1999	79.51	76.88	82.14
1998 to 2000	79.9	77.39	82.38
1999 to 2001	80.2	77.73	82.66
2000 to 2002	80.4	78.02	82.75
2001 to 2003	80.5	78.16	82.82
2002 to 2004	80.63	78.37	82.86
2003 to 2005	80.76	78.48	83.03
2004 to 2006	80.92	78.65	83.19
2005 to 2007	81.07	78.77	83.38
2006 to 2008	81.23	79	83.46
2007 to 2009	81.49	79.32	83.65
2008 to 2010	81.82	79.72	83.89
2009 to 2011	82.15	80.07	84.2
2010 to 2012	82.36	80.31	84.39
2011 to 2013	82.47	80.42	84.52
2012 to 2014	82.59	80.52	84.67
2013 to 2015	82.61	80.52	84.7
2014 to 2016	82.54	80.4	84.67
2015 to 2017	82.33	80.09	84.59
2016 to 2018	82.19	79.82	84.61
2017 to 2019	82.32	79.96	84.75
2018 to 2020	82.32	79.88	84.85
2019 to 2021	82.03	79.49	84.66
2020 to 2022	81.6	78.89	84.43
2021 to 2023	81.56	78.88	84.37

Source:

Source Name:	Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0114-01. Life expectancy and other elements of the complete life table, three-year estimates, Canada, all provinces except Prince Edward Island
Source Link:	https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1310011401
Release Date:	2024-12-04