Lions typically live about 10 to 14 years in the wild, with females generally living longer than males. Male lions often have shorter lifespans, around 8 to 10 years, due to fights for dominance and leaving their birth prides, which expose them to greater risks

. Female lions can live up to 15-16 years in the wild as they stay with their pride and avoid these conflicts

. In captivity, lions tend to live significantly longer, often reaching 20 years or more due to regular food, veterinary care, and absence of natural threats. Some captive lions have lived into their mid to late 20s, such as Arjun who lived between 26 and 29 years, and Zenda who lived to 25 years

. In summary:

• Wild lions: 10–14 years on average; males often 8–10 years, females up to 15-16 years
• Captive lions: commonly 20 years or more; some reaching 25+ years with proper care

This difference is largely due to the challenges lions face in the wild, including injury, disease, starvation, and conflicts, which are minimized in captivity