Women in Japan 'have highest life expectancy'

Published on Monday 26 July 2010 17:40

JAPANESE women are expected to live almost 86.5 years, topping the world longevity ratings for the 25th straight year, the government has reported.

New statistics for 2009 compiled from the Ministry of Health showed Japanese women and men extended their average life expectancy to new records - 86.44 years for women and 79.59 years for men. Average life spans rose by almost five months for women and nearly four months for men compared to the previous year.

The steady increase in Japan's longevity largely reflects good medical treatment that reduced mortality from cancer, cardiac disorders and strokes - the three main causes of death in Japan - as well as pneumonia, the ministry official said.

Women in Hong Kong came in second in longevity rankings at 86.1 years. France was third, at 84.5, followed by Switzerland at 84.4 years. Qatar topped the men's ranking at 81 years.