•Publication Date：09/05/2014
•Source： Taiwan Today
Life expectancy at birth in Taiwan rose to an average 79.12 years in 2011, with an average 82.47 years for females and 75.96 years for males, according to the Ministry of the Interior Sept. 4.
Based on data collected from 2009 to 2011, the MOI survey found men added 2.17 years in life expectancy and women 2.84 years compared with a decade ago.
The survey is conducted every 10 years, with the first one in 1926 to 1930. Average life expectancy at that time was 40.95 years, roughly half of the present figure.
“A continuing increase in life expectancy reflects considerable improvements in nutrition, living environment, medical care, personal wealth, public health and working conditions in Taiwan,” the MOI said.
The growing gap between the sexes, from 5.84 years in 2001 to 6.51 years in 2011, parallels gender differences in cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. These are the top three killers in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
If cancer could be eliminated, according to the MOI, average male and female life expectancies would rise by 4.16 years and 2.88 years, respectively, considerably narrowing the gender gap.
Compared with other nations in the region, Taiwan’s average life span of 79.12 years is longer than that of Indonesia, the Philippines and mainland China, but shorter than Japan, Singapore and South Korea, according to the MOI report.
The ministry projects the percentage of Taiwan’s population aged 65 or over to top 14 percent in 2018, qualifying the country as an aged society. The MOI is formulating policies to address the aging population issue, including creating a sound long-term care mechanism and diversified pension system.
