For the first time in 50 years, India’s life expectancy at birth has decreased by 0.2 years, now standing at 69.8 years for the period 2017-2021. This decline, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is a crucial current affairs topic for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking.
Urban and Rural Trends
Variations in Decline
Life expectancy varies across India. Rural areas saw a 0.1-year drop, while urban areas experienced a 0.3-year decline. Females live longer than males by over two years at birth, and at age 70, this gap is about one year in favor of females.
Regional Differences
State-Wise Variations
Delhi recorded the highest male life expectancy at 73 years, while Kerala led for females at 77.9 years. Chhattisgarh had the lowest, with 62.8 years for males and 66.4 years for females. These regional disparities show varying health outcomes across India.
Historical Perspective
Changes Over Time
Historically, Odisha saw the highest annual increase in male life expectancy, while Haryana had the least. For females, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha recorded the highest gains, with Kerala showing the smallest. These trends highlight India’s evolving health landscape.
Impact of COVID-19
Surge in Deaths
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted life expectancy. Registered deaths increased from 8.1 million in 2020 to 10.2 million in 2021. The government attributes around 0.6 million deaths directly to COVID-19, reflecting a major health crisis.
Leading Causes of Death
Shifting Health Patterns
In the 25-34 age group, diseases of the circulatory system and COVID-19 were the top causes, accounting for over 36% of deaths. The 35-44 age group showed similar trends, indicating a concerning rise in health issues among younger populations.
Excess Deaths
Beyond COVID-19
Excluding COVID-19, India reported 1.4 million excess deaths. This includes spikes in respiratory diseases (from 181,160 in 2020 to 305,191 in 2021) and circulatory system ailments, pointing to broader health challenges.
Public Health Concerns
Need for Action
The rise in deaths and drop in life expectancy signal a public health crisis. Unlike the declining death rates of past decades, these trends call for urgent improvements in healthcare systems to address healthcare access and disease prevention.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
Study Resource for Aspirants
The decline in India’s life expectancy is a crucial current affairs topic for competitive exams. Topics like public health, COVID-19 impact, and regional disparities are frequently tested in exams like IAS, IBPS, and RRB. Stay updated with GKboard.in for concise, exam-focused current affairs content.