S. Koreans' life expectancy tops OECD average

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- The average life expectancy for South Korean babies born in 2007 exceeded that of member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) for a second consecutive year, a government report showed Tuesday.

South Korean babies born last year are expected to live an average of 79.6 years,
up 0.4 years from a year ago, according to the report by the National Statistical
Office (NSO). It is also 5.2 years longer than a decade ago.
The figure exceeded the OECD average of 79 years. South Korea's average life
expectancy surpassed OECD member nations for the first time in 2006.
Male babies are expected to live 76.1 years, up 0.4 years from a year earlier,
while female babies are projected to live 82.7 years, up 0.3 years over the same
period, the report showed.
The gap between men and women has been on a decline since 1985, when females
lived 8.4 years longer than their male counterparts, the report showed. The 2007
corresponding figure stood at 6.6 years.
The overall increase in life expectancy was attributed to fewer incidents of
disease, improved medical technology and heightened attention to health among the
elderly, the NSO said.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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