Life expectancy increases to 75 years

Life expectancy increases to 75 years

Life expectancy in Cambodia has increased to an estimated 75-years-old, according to the General Population Census of Cambodia 2019 issued on Tuesday.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2018, life expectancy for men was estimated at 67.3-years-old and 71.2-years-old for women, on average 69.4-years-old.

Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng said that in the report, men’s life expectancy has increased to 74.3 years and women to 76.8 years. This was linked to a drop in infant mortality rates.

“Through this national report, we see that the infant mortality rate has dropped from 26 in the 2008 census to 18 per 1,000 live births in the 2019 census and the under-five mortality rate has been declining from 44 babies in the 2008 census to 28 babies of 1,000 live births in the 2019 census. In addition, the maternal mortality rate has dropped significantly,” Bun Heng said.

He said the proud results reflect the tireless efforts of health workers in the Kingdom.

Minister of Planning Chhay Than said the population growth rate varies from one province to another, with a national growth rate of 1.4 percent. He added that today the couples in Cambodia have an average of two or three children because they use family planning or contraception.

Daniel Alemu, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Cambodia, said that the census data is an important source of information for policymakers to respond more effectively to vulnerable groups.

He also said according to the latest census, Cambodia’s population hit 15.5 million. Khmer Times