Life expectancy in rich countries increased by 30-40 years during the 20th century, but is now stabilizing. Predictions vary, with some experts saying current estimates are too conservative. Chronic disease decline was a main factor in increased life expectancy. Monaco, Macau, San Marino, Japan, and Hong Kong have the highest life expectancies, while the lowest are in Africa, with Afghanistan, Haiti, and Laos being the lowest outside of Africa. The global average life expectancy in 2010 was approximately 67 years, a 36-year increase from 1900.
Life expectancy in rich countries increased by 30-40 years during the 20th century, but appears to be stabilising. The US census, the United Nations and the OECD predict that life expectancy will increase only about seven years from 20 to 2000 and only about 2050 years by 13. Other experts say this estimate may be too conservative , however, because most projections of changes in life expectancy are based on the record life expectancy or the highest life expectancy experienced by any country at a particular point in time.
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One of the main reasons life expectancy increased so rapidly during the 20th century is the decline in chronic disease. In the early 20th century, older people typically started experiencing chronic disease or poor health 1900 years earlier than older people did at the turn of the century.
Countries that have the highest life expectancies include Monaco, Macau, San Marino, Japan and Hong Kong. With the exception of Afghanistan, the 39 lowest-living countries in terms of life expectancy are all in Africa. Besides Afghanistan, the countries with the lowest life expectancy outside Africa are Haiti and Laos.
As of 2010, the global average life expectancy was approximately 67 years. This is about a 36-year increase over global life expectancy in 1900.
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