According to a 2005 population report issued by the UN Population Fund and the Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea, this year’s fertility rate stood at 1.22 children per woman of childbearing age (15 to 49), considerably lower than the world average of 2.6 children and less than the average in developed countries of 1.57. The average in developing countries was 2.82.

Hong Kong had the lowest fertility rate with 0.95 children, followed by Ukraine at 1.13. North Korea's fertility rate was 1.97, suggesting that both Koreas have a problem.

The Earth's total population was tabulated at 6,464,700,000. China remained the world’s most populous nation with 1.31 billion inhabitants, closely tailed by India with 1.13 billion. The US was a distant third with 298 million. With 47.8 million residents, South Korea was 25th and North Korea was 47th with 22.5 million.

Global life expectancy was estimated at 63.7 years for men and 68.2 years for women. South Korea ranked 30th for men with an average life span of 73.8 years and 19th for women with 81.2 years. Undernourished North Korea placed 100th for men with 60.9 years and 97th for women with 66.8. The average life expectancy in developed countries was estimated to be 72.2 years for men and 79.6 years for women

Hong Kong was also the place where men live the longest with 78.9 years, followed by Japan with 78.7, and Sweden with 78.2. For women, Japan ranked top with 85.8 years, followed by Hong Kong with 84.9 and Spain with 83.5. Aids-devastated Swaziland had the shortest life expectancy for both men and women with 31.6 and 31.3 years.

(englishnews@chosun.com )