Global life expectancy goes up, but rich-poor divide remains
People born in 2012 can expect to live an average six years longer than people born in 1990, according to a new report from the UN World Health Organisation (WHO).
Even so, there remains a significant contrast between the fate of people born in wealthy countries and those born in poorer nations, where mortality rates are considerably higher.
The increase in life expectancy is largely thanks to the successful treatment and prevention of diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as improved nutrition. In addition, tobacco use is down throughout the world, and people suffer from fewer non-communicable illnesses like heart disease and strokes.
As a result, girls born in 2012 will live to an average age of 73, while boys born at the same time will live to an average age of 68.
Despite the fact that many low-income countries have made the best progress in improving life expectancy through better healthcare, WHO’s director-general Margaret Chan stated: “People in high-income countries continue to have a much better chance of living longer than people in low-income countries.”
For example, a girl born in 2012 in a high-income country can expect to live around 19 years longer than one born in a low-income country.
What is more, life expectancy is still less than 55 years for residents in nine sub-Saharan African countries: Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
About Kevin Sorkin
I am the Founder and CEO of Pendragon International Media Ltd, publishers of Global Government Forum. This portfolio also includes research services and important world leading events for public servants such as the Global Government Summit, the Global Government Finance Summit, the Global Government Forum Innovation conference, Global Government Digital Summit and Putting Citizens First. I am also the founder of the Civil Service Awards and Civil Service Live, established industry leading brands and extremely important events for government. I also launched and published Civil Service World. Over the years I have established relationships with the most senior officials in government and the private sector and have built a very strong and positive reputation across the industry.
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