Life Expectancy in N.Korea Remains Low

The average North Korean man lives until age 64, while the average woman has a life expectancy of 71 years, according to a report released by Statistics Korea in Seoul on Tuesday.

The numbers, which are based on an analysis of North Korean census results, indicate that living conditions in the communist country have not improved in the past decade. In 1993 the life expectancy was 67 years for men and 74 years for woman. The figures decreased in 1998 to 59 years and 66 years.

Meanwhile, about 70 percent of the population over 16 are engaged in economic activities in the country, but only 7.3 percent of people over 60 work, indicating that North Koreans retire early.

The report also showed that the average man marries at 29, while women typically marry at 25 years old. The North's population has gradually increased from 8.5 million in 1953 to an estimated 24 million last year.