Large gains in life expectancy

PHOTO: WHO

People everywhere are living longer, according to the "World Health Statistics 2014" published yesterday by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Global averages show, a girl born in 2012 can expect to live to around 73 years, and a boy to the age of 68. This is 6 years longer than the average global life expectancy for a child born in 1990. WHO’s annual statistics report shows that low-income countries have made the greatest progress, with an average increase in life expectancy by 9 years from 1990 to 2012.

Source: World Health Organisation