Skopje, 17 March 2023 (MIA) – According to the new index of average global life expectancy, published by the United Nations (UN), Macedonian citizens live an average of 75.26 years. For men, this figure stands at 73.1 years, while for women it is 77.47 years.

For comparison, data from World Bank research and statistics is also presented, according to which, the average life expectancy of Macedonian men is 74 years, while that of Macedonian women is 78 years, with the total average being 76 years.

Studies indicate that longevity is based on three major factors – genetics, gender and lifestyle. Then factors such as hygiene, diet, culture, choice of profession, exercise, access to quality health care, and even crime rates are taken into account. According to the UN, the global average life expectancy as of 2023 was 70.8 years for men and 76.0 years for women, for an average of 73.4 years.

Life expectancies vary significantly by region as well as by country, and in 2023 ranged from a low of 57.7 years in Western Africa to a high of 82.7 years in Western Europe.

Overall, life expectancy is on the rise. Between 2000 and 2016, the average life expectancy increased by 5.5 years globally, highlighted by an increase of 10 years in parts of Africa.

The list of nations with the longest life expectancies according to the UN consists of: Monaco (87.01 years), Hong Kong (85.83), Macau (85.51), Japan (84.95), Liechtenstein (84.77), Switzerland (84.38), Singapore (84.27), Italy (84.2), Vatican City (84.16), South Korea (84.14).

The shortest life expectancies are recorded in Chad (53.68), Nigeria (53.87), Lesotho (54.91), Central African Republic (55.48), South Sudan (56.51), Somalia (57.35), Eswatini (57.71), Namibia (59.53), Guinea (59.55), Mali (60.03).

In that sense, the Macedonians are somewhere in the middle of the list.

When it comes to the other countries of the region, the average life expectancy in Serbia is 75.12 years, in Albania - 78.06 years, Bulgaria - 72.84, Greece - 82, Bosnia and Herzegovina - 76.18 years, Croatia - 79.4, and in Montenegro it stands at 77.78 years. ad/ik/

Photo: UN