World Health Organisation says Australian men can expect to live 80.5 years, while Australian women will live to 84.6

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Australian men have the third highest life expectancy in the world, but women are lagging in sixth place, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

However, women are expected to live 84.6 years on average, compared with 80.5 for men.



The WHO figures are for a baby born in 2012, and show an increased expectancy across the world.



In poor countries this is because fewer children are dying before their fifth birthday. In richer countries it is because fewer people are dying of heart disease and stroke before their 60th birthday.



Iceland tops the male table at a healthy average of 81.2 years, with Japanese women expected to live 87 years. New Zealand men come fourth at 80.2, tying with Israel, Singapore and Italy. New Zealand women come 8th, at 84 years, tying with Portugal.



A boy born in 2012 in a high-income country can expect to live to about 76, according to the statistics. This is 16 years longer than a boy born in a low-income country. Girls in high-income countries are likely to live to the age of 82, compared with 63 in poor countries.

