KBC 14: According to the Sample Registration Survey which Indian state had the lowest life expectancy rate between 2013-17?
Options:
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Chattisgarh
C) Bihar
D) Haryana
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
The state with the lowest life expectancy at birth in the country for the time period between 2013-17 was Uttar Pradesh– standing at 65.0 years. This is in contrast to Kerala where the life expectancy was 75.2 years for the same time period.
The life expectancy at birth is defined as how long, on average, a newborn is expected to live, if current death rates do not change.
India‘s life expectancy has marginally risen from 68.7 years in the period 2012-2016 to 69 years in the period 2013-2017. Looking into the data further, it can be seen that the life expectancy of males rose by around five months during this period, while that of females increased by just two and a half months, although it is worth noting that the life expectancy of females (70.4) is still significantly higher than the life expectancy of males (67.8)- by about three years.
The increase in the life expectancy of India’s population has been drastic when looking at a larger cross-section of time; with India’s life expectancy in the period between 1970-75 being a mere 49.5 years showing an increase of 19.3 years in the last four decades.
Looking at Uttar Pradesh in isolation, the state had the lowest life expectancy back in the time period between 1970-75 as well- with babies born in UP expected to live for a mere 43.0 years, compared to the national average of 49.5, and in stark contrast to Kerala’s life expectancy which was 62.0 years. The positive amongst all of this is that the life expectancy of Uttar Pradesh has increased by a larger degree than the national average- by 22 years, and it is not outlandish to hope that this shall continue as the state continues to develop further.
Also read: KBC 14: Which of the following days is observed as ‘World Water Day’?
