The report found that life expectancy around the world has increased dramatically over the past 15 years, with the global average rising by about five years. Such an increase has not been recorded since the 1960s.

Worldwide, the average life expectancy for a baby born in 2015 is now 71.4 years of age — 73.8 for women, and 69.1 for men.

Topping the list is Japan, with an average life expectancy of 83.7 years, followed by Switzerland, with 83.4. Broken down by gender, Japan tops the list for women, with an average life expectancy of 86.8 years, while Switzerland has the highest life expectancy for men, 81.3 years.

In third place overall is Singapore with 83.1, followed by Australia and Spain in equal fourth place with 82.8, and Iceland and Italy in equal fifth place with 82.7.

An Israeli resident is wheeled into an ambulance after a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in an old people’s home in the northern city of Nahariya – Photo: REUTERS

Israel comes in sixth place overall. When the results are split by gender, Israel has the fifth highest male life expectancy, with 80.6 years, and the ninth highest for women, 84.3 years.

The United States comes in at no. 25 overall, with 79.3. At the bottom of the list, babies born in Sierra Leone are only expected to live to the age of 50.

According to the report, the most dramatic increase in life expectancy — 9.4 years — was recorded in Africa, where people are now expected to live to the age of 60 on average. This increase is the result of improved pediatric care and increased efforts to combat malaria and AIDS.

“The world has made great strides in reducing the needless suffering and premature deaths that arise from preventable and treatable diseases,” said WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan. “But the gains have been uneven. Supporting countries to move toward universal health coverage based on strong primary care is the best thing we can do to make sure no one is left behind.”