Newborn boys in Saxony-Anhalt currently have the lowest life expectancy in Germany. According to the 2023/2025 period life table it is 76.4 years. This is shown by figures published by the July 2026 Federal Statistical Office. For newborn girls, Destatis gives a life expectancy of 82.5 years in Saxony-Anhalt. A recent analysis by MDR summarises the findings and sets them in a regional context.
The Statistical Office of Saxony-Anhalt confirms the figures, with 76.37 years for boys and 82.5 years for girls. Both authorities stress that the 2023/2025 period life tables are snapshots of mortality rates: they show how old newborns would live to be if the death rates observed during the period applied throughout their lives. Individual life courses may differ considerably.
In the comparison between the federal states, Saxony-Anhalt therefore remains at the bottom of the ranking for men. At the same time, Destatis notes that life expectancy has risen slightly again after the previous years, which were affected by the pandemic. The gap with western German states remains, however. Saxony-Anhalt is also towards the lower end of the national comparison for women, although the difference is smaller than for men.
The official bodies cite differences in cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and external causes of death as key influencing factors. Regional inequalities in prevention, early detection and healthcare, as well as socio-economic conditions, also play a part. To establish reliable cause-and-effect relationships, the Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Office of Saxony-Anhalt refer to detailed analyses of cause-of-death statistics and other indicators.
Politically, the findings point above all to prevention: more smoking cessation programmes, early diagnosis of high blood pressure and diabetes, targeted cancer screening and a denser healthcare network in structurally disadvantaged regions are seen as possible approaches. The tables do not set out specific measures or targets. The responsible ministries and health insurers are nevertheless likely to take the results into account in ongoing public health programmes.
The figures relate specifically to the 2023/2025 period life table and were published in July 2026 by Destatis and the Statistical Office of Saxony-Anhalt. Today’s assessment foregrounds the latest data and distinguishes them from older series. This keeps the news hook clear: a current analysis based on the latest official publications.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).