Koreans Live Longer Than Ever

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff ReporterKoreans live up to 79 years on average, the longest ever, and more than the OECD average.

The average life span of Koreans was 79.1 in 2006, higher than the average 78.9 for members of the organization, according to the OECD Health Data 2008 released through the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. It is now narrowing the gap with

 

 

 

 

Japan the “country of longevity,” which boasts 82.4 years.The future for Koreans in terms of life span is quite bright. It is constantly expanding, from 76.4 in 2001 to 77 in 2002 and 78.5 in 2005. “At the end of this year, the figure may exceed 80,” a ministry spokesman said.

 

The OECD said such longevity could be attributable to higher income’s changing people’s lifestyle as a whole; individual care and investment in health management; health insurance coverage expanding year after year; and relatively easy access to medical services.

In fact, the average number of Koreans’ visiting doctors was 11.8 a year in 2005, much higher than OECD average of 6.8. It reflects that health insurance covers nearly every disease and those sick have less of a financial burden, the ministry said.

However, in terms of medical infrastructure, the country still has a way to go. The number of medical staff ― doctors and nurses ― was less than half that of other nations, even though there were more sick beds available.

Also, the number of those dying from cancer and cerebrovascular disease is falling, but those dying from ischemic heart disease and suicide are increasing.

The smoking rate of those over 15 years of age dropped to 25.3 percent in 2005 from 30.4 percent four years ago. Annual alcohol consumption was 8.1 liters per person, lower than the 9.5-liter OECD average.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr