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Life Expectancy at Birth

Facts

Life expectancy at birth is the most important and useful single overall and standardized measure of mortality in a population. Published figures show that Hong Kong men's life expectancy at birth is comparable to that of most industrialized countries. But men in Hong Kong, on average, die 6 years earlier than women.

The life expectancy at birth of men in Hong Kong has increased steadily from 72.3 years in 1981 to 79.3 in 2008. The corresponding figures for women were 78.5 and 85.5 years respectively.

Figures

Life expectancy at birth, male and female, 1981-2007

1981
Male: 72.3
Female: 78.5

1986
Male: 74.1
Female: 79.4

1991
Male: 75.2
Female: 80.7

1996
Male: 76.7
Female: 82.7

2001
Male: 78.4
Female: 84.6

2006
Male: 79.4
Female: 85.5

2007
Male: 79.4
Female: 85.5

2008
Male: 79.3
Female: 85.5

Note:
Data in this chart from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach.

Source : Census and Statistics Department