Term: Life Expectancy

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-02-15

Definition:

The average number of years an individual of a given age is expected to live if current age-sex-specific mortality rates remain stable. Life expectancy is a commonly accepted indicator of population health. Typically calculated at birth, this indicator has the advantage of describing the experience of all people in the population, not just those 0-74 (as for the premature mortality measure). Life expectancy can be calculated at any age (e.g.: age 65), and also specific to sex (male or female).

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