Governments need to do more to address a gap in life expectancy between richer and poorer countries that is costing millions of lives, according to a report from the World Health Organization.

The 33-year gulf between the best and worst performers — Japan and Lesotho — has narrowed by nine years since the initial report in 2008. That report called for the gap between the top third and bottom third of countries, which stood at 18.2 years in 2000, to be reduced to 8.2 years by 2040.

That target is unlikely to be met at current rates of progress, according to Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who led the initial report and also advised on the latest publication. The WHO also drew attention to sharp and widening differences in longevity within countries.