YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
According to the German Federal Statistics Office, newborn boys will live to 77 years and 4 months, and newborn girls will reach 82.5 years of age, thus representing the highest figures since the calculation of the first 'Life Table 1871/1881 for the German Empire. The figures are based on the Life Table 2007/2009, which was compiled using data on deceased citizens and the average population during the last three years.
In comparison with the Life Table 2006/2008, life expectancy for newborn boys increased by two months, and one month for newborn girls. This shows that boys are gradually making ground. This becomes even clearer when comparing the current figures with those recorded in the Life Table 2003/2005: here, life expectancy increases by 13 and 9 months for boys and girls respectively.
For older people, too, life expectancy has risen by a further month: According to this, a 60-year-old man can expect to live for another 21 years. Statistically, 60-year-old women can live for another 24 years and 10 months. Based on these statistics, every second man will live to at least 80, whilst every second woman will even be able to celebrate her 85th birthday. 89.2% of men and 94.1% of women live to celebrate their 60th birthday. The Census Bureau explains the difference between the life expectancy of newborns and today’s 60 year olds by stating the life risks faced by the younger population, which could reduce their life expectancy. One example of such is traffic accidents. According to the figures recorded in the German Empire, the average life expectancy of a newborn boy during the reporting period 1871/1881 was just 35 years and 7 months. The average for newborn girls was 38 years and 5 months. In light of this, life expectancy for newborns has more than doubled in the last 130 years or so. The main reason for this is the sharp decrease in infant mortality. During the past decades, mortality amongst the older population has also decreased.
In recent years, global life expectancy has increased by 11 years. According to the UN World Development Report of the United Nations, the current life expectancy is 70 years. Nevertheless, significant differences in the development of life expectancy figures were recorded in the 135 countries included in the report: in Arabic countries, for instance, it has risen by 18 years since 1970. In contrast to this, nine countries have not experienced any increase at all. Alongside six African countries including South Africa, this list featured Russia, Belorussia and Ukraine.
(tagesschau.de, 4th November 2010)
Photosource: cydonna / photocase.com
