The average Viking life expectancy was around 30-50 years, but this varied greatly depending on factors like social status, occupation, and luck.
Why Did Vikings Have a Shorter Lifespan?
High Child Mortality – Many children didn’t survive infancy due to disease and poor medical knowledge. If a person made it past childhood, they had a much better chance of reaching 50 or beyond.
Harsh Living Conditions – Cold winters, food shortages, and the risk of disease made survival tough.
Injuries & Warfare – Many Vikings were warriors or raiders, and combat-related deaths were common.
Disease & Poor Medicine – Without modern medicine, infections and illnesses that are easily treatable today could be fatal.
Physical Labour – Farming, shipbuilding, and other strenuous work took a toll on the body.
How Old Could Vikings Get?
If they survived childhood and war, some Vikings lived into their 60s or 70s, especially those in leadership roles or from wealthy families with better food and living conditions.
Historical records mention some older Viking figures, like Egill Skallagrímsson, who lived into his 80s.
