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Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life.

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More or Less: How Long Will You Live?

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Pensioners Keep Fit As They Participate In An Exercise Class

30/06/2013

How Long Will You Live?

BBC World Service - More or Less, How Long Will You Live?

Why life expectancy around the world has increased by six years in the past two decades

Life expectancy around the world has increased by six years in the past two decades. Can this striking trend continue?

We examine how long you are likely to live. Life expectancy in the world’s richest countries has increased by an amazing 2.5 years per decade for the past 200 years. But does the data suggest that trend is beginning to unwind? The biggest leaps in longevity are occurring in Africa, Asia and Southern Europe, and health metrics suggest this is a trend which won’t be ending soon. But there are some countries who are being left behind – who are they and why?

We hear from Colin Mathers from the World Health Organisation; Professor James Vaupel, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany; and Richard Willets, Director of Longevity at Partnership insurance firm in the UK.

(Image: Pensioners keep fit as they participate in an exercise class. Credit: Getty Images)

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