A newborn in Singapore can expect to live around 6.5 years longer than one born in Malaysia. According to the latest comparable World Bank data, Singapore recorded the highest life expectancy in Southeast Asia at 83.3 years. Malaysia ranked second at 76.8 years, narrowly ahead of Thailand.
Across the region, the difference is even greater. A newborn in Singapore can expect to live more than 16 years longer than one born in Myanmar.
So, why are people in some Southeast Asian countries living much longer than others?
Life Expectancy Across Southeast Asia
Singapore recorded the highest life expectancy in Southeast Asia at 83.3 years, followed by Malaysia at 76.8 years and Thailand at 76.6 years.
Brunei ranked fourth with 75.5 years, followed by Vietnam at 74.7 years, Indonesia at 71.3 years and Cambodia at 70.8 years.
The Philippines recorded 69.9 years, while Laos stood at 69.2 years. Timor-Leste and Myanmar had the region’s lowest figures at 67.9 years and 67.1 years, respectively.
The figures show a gap of more than 16 years between Singapore and Myanmar, highlighting the major differences in healthcare access, living standards and public health conditions across Southeast Asia.
Why Singapore Has The Highest Life Expectancy
Singapore’s position is not explained by one factor alone.
Its people benefit from widely available healthcare, high living standards, low infant mortality, clean water, proper sanitation and strong disease-prevention programmes.
Singapore’s national data shows that life expectancy increased further to 83.9 years in 2025, surpassing its pre-pandemic high.
Women could expect to live for 86 years, while men could expect to reach 81.8 years, according to the Singapore Department of Statistics.
The country now faces a different challenge: supporting a rapidly ageing population while ensuring older people remain healthy and independent.
Malaysia Ranks Second, But The Gap Remains
Malaysia recorded a life expectancy of 76.8 years in the World Bank’s 2024 comparison, placing it second in Southeast Asia.
However, Malaysia’s national estimate is lower. The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported that a baby born in 2024 could expect to live for 74.9 years. The figure increased to 75.3 years in 2025.
Girls born in Malaysia in 2025 could expect to live for 77.9 years, compared with 73.1 years for boys. That is a difference of 4.8 years.
Despite Malaysia’s strong regional position, preventable diseases remain a serious concern. In 2024, ischaemic heart disease was Malaysia’s leading medically certified cause of death, accounting for 17,421 deaths.
Improving life expectancy is therefore not only about building better hospitals. It also requires healthier diets, regular physical activity, early screening and better control of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
Why Some Countries Remain Below 70 Years
The Philippines, Laos, Timor-Leste and Myanmar recorded average lifespans below 70 years.
The reasons are often connected. Poverty can reduce access to nutritious food, clean water, education and healthcare. Rural communities may also be located far from hospitals or trained medical workers.
Myanmar recorded the region’s lowest figure at 67.1 years. Continuing instability has disrupted healthcare, vaccination, food supplies and other essential services.
These problems affect people at every stage of life, from mothers and newborns to working adults and the elderly.
Saving Children Has Helped People Live Longer
One of the biggest reasons life expectancy has improved is that more children now survive their first years.
UNICEF reported that child mortality across Asia and the Pacific has fallen by 63% since 2000. Better vaccination, nutrition, sanitation and maternal care have saved millions of young lives.
However, progress remains uneven.
Preventable diseases and poor nutrition continue to affect children in poorer and rural communities.
What Does Life Expectancy Really Tell Us?
Life expectancy is not a prediction of how long every person will live.
Instead, it estimates how long a newborn could live if the mortality rates recorded during that period remained the same throughout their life.
A person’s actual lifespan can be influenced by genetics, lifestyle, income, occupation, location and access to healthcare.
Living longer also does not always mean living healthier. Someone may reach an old age but spend several of those years managing illnesses, disabilities or other health problems.
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