Introduction
Life expectancy is a measure of the average life span of a person or a population. It is an important indicator of health and development, as it reflects an area’s access to health care, nutrition, education, and other factors that affect life expectancy. In this article, we will discuss the factors that influence life expectancy, current global life expectancy trends, and how life expectancy has changed over time.
Factors that Influence Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is influenced by a variety of factors, including access to health care, nutrition, education, and socio-economic status. Access to health care can improve life expectancy by allowing people to receive preventive care and medical treatment for illnesses and injuries. Nutrition can also influence life expectancy by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to the body. Education can also improve life expectancy by providing access to health knowledge and resources. Finally, socio-economic factors can influence life expectancy by providing access to resources and opportunities that improve health and well-being.
Global Life Expectancy Trends
According to the World Health Organization, the global average life expectancy at birth in 2020 was 72.9 years. This is an increase from the global average life expectancy of 64.2 years in 2000. The highest life expectancy at birth is in Japan, with a life expectancy of 84.4 years. The lowest life expectancy at birth is in the Central African Republic, with a life expectancy of 56.3 years. Life expectancy is higher for women than for men in all countries.
Changes Over Time
Life expectancy has increased significantly over the past century. In 1900, the global average life expectancy at birth was just 31 years. By 2020, it had more than doubled to 72.9 years. This increase in life expectancy is largely due to advances in medical technology, improved access to health care, and improved nutrition and education.
Conclusion
Life expectancy is an important indicator of health and development. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including access to health care, nutrition, education, and socio-economic status. Globally, life expectancy has increased significantly over the past century due to advances in medical technology, improved access to health care, and improved nutrition and education.
References
World Health Organization. (2020). Life expectancy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/life-expectancy
World Health Organization. (2020). Global Health Observatory data: Life expectancy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/situation_trends/en/
United Nations. (2020). World population prospects 2019: Highlights. Retrieved from https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf