Kyung Hee University Study in Nature Tracks Asian Life Expectancy Trends

A significant international study led by researchers at Kyung Hee University has mapped the drivers of life expectancy changes across Asia from 1990 to 2023, with its findings published in the prestigious journal Nature. The research, which tracked trends in 34 Asian countries, reveals a general increase in life expectancy throughout the continent over the past three decades.

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Over the past 30 years, the overall health level in Asia has significantly improved. However, the inequality in life expectancy due to economic disparities between regions and countries remains severe.

South Asia experienced the most dramatic improvement, with life expectancy rising by 12.6 years from 58.6 years in 1990 to 71.2 years in 2023. The high-income Asia-Pacific region, encompassing countries like South Korea and Japan, recorded the highest life expectancy at 84.1 years in 2023, an increase from 77.5 years in 1990. Across all regions, women consistently lived longer than men, with the average life expectancy for women in the high-income Asia-Pacific region reaching 87.1 years compared to 81.0 years for men in 2023.

The study identified varying factors contributing to these gains. In Central and East Asia, and the high-income Asia-Pacific region, advancements in cardiovascular disease treatment and improved healthcare access played a crucial role. Conversely, in South and Southeast Asia, reductions in deaths from diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, and tuberculosis, attributed to expanded vaccination programs and better sanitation, significantly boosted life expectancy.

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This study comprehensively analyzed changes in life expectancy in the Asian region, where about 60% of the world's population resides.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a negative trend between 2019 and 2023, causing a decrease in life expectancy by approximately 0.327 years in Southeast Asia and 0.275 years in East Asia. The research also highlighted persistent risk factors such as hypertension, unhealthy diets, and air pollution, which continue to impact life expectancy negatively. The study's lead, Professor Yeon Dong-geon, stressed the need for tailored health policies, including improved access to essential medicines and sanitation in lower-income countries, and a greater focus on preventative measures for chronic diseases in higher-income nations.

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We hope that the results of this large-scale Asian study will serve as a key indicator and compass for Asian health authorities to establish practical and effective tailored health policies, going beyond fragmented health statistics.