Life Expectancy Decline in India
India’s life expectancy at birth has seen a notable decline for the first time in half a century. The average life expectancy dropped by 0.2 years, now estimated at 69.8 years for the period between 2017 and 2021. This decline is as it reflects the impact of various health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life Expectancy Trends
Life expectancy in India varies between urban and rural areas. For the period under review, rural life expectancy decreased by 0.1 years, while urban life expectancy dropped by 0.3 years. Females generally live longer than males, with an average difference of over two years at birth. At age 70, this difference remains in favour of females by about one year.
Regional Differences
Delhi recorded the highest life expectancy for males at 73 years, while Kerala topped for females at 77.9 years. In contrast, Chhattisgarh reported the lowest figures, with 62.8 years for males and 66.4 years for females. These regional disparities highlight the varying health outcomes across different states.
Historical Context
The report indicates that the maximum annual increase in male life expectancy occurred in Odisha, while Haryana saw the minimum. For females, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha recorded the highest increases, with Kerala showing the least. This historical perspective showcases the changing health dynamics in India over the decades.
Impact of COVID-19
The decline in life expectancy coincides with a dramatic increase in registered deaths during the pandemic. Deaths rose from 8.1 million in 2020 to 10.2 million in 2021. The government attributes approximately 0.6 million of these deaths directly to COVID-19, indicating health crisis.
Causes of Death
The leading causes of death in younger age groups have shifted. In the 25-34 age bracket, diseases of the circulatory system and COVID-19 were the top two causes, contributing to over 36% of deaths. In the 35-44 age group, these causes also ranked highest, reflecting a worrying trend in health outcomes.
Excess Deaths
Even when excluding COVID-19 deaths, around 1.4 million excess deaths were reported. This statistic marks broader health issues in India, including spikes in deaths from respiratory diseases and circulatory system ailments. The number of deaths due to respiratory diseases rose from 181,160 in 2020 to 305,191 in 2021.
Health Trends
The overall increase in registered deaths and the decline in life expectancy indicate a concerning trend in public health. This situation contrasts sharply with the declining death rates observed in previous decades. The data calls for urgent attention to improve healthcare systems across the country.
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