|
The life expectancy of Koreans has exceeded the average of member countries of the OECD for the first time.
According to OECD health data for 2008 made public by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs on Thursday, the average life expectancy of Koreans in 2006 was 79.1 years, slightly longer than the OECD average of 78.9. Since Korea's life expectancy recorded 76.4 years in 2001, it has increased every year and, if the trend continues, is likely to surpass 80 years this year. The differential with Japan, the country with the longest life expectancy, narrowed from 5.1 years in 2001 to 3.5 in 2006. Life expectancy in Japan in 2006 was 82.4 years, followed by Switzerland's 81.7.
The statistics confirm that the number of deaths from cancer and cerebrovascular disease such as stroke, the top two causes of death in Korea, has been steadily declining. However, the number of deaths caused by heart disease is on the rise, and the suicide rate, which stood at 21.5 people per 100,000, was nearly double the OECD average of 11.2.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
