What was the life expectancy at birth in India as per the 2021 World Health Organization data?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) 67.3 years

Explanation:

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, the life expectancy at birth in India in 2021 was estimated at 67.3 years.
• This figure reflects the average number of years a newborn could expect to live, assuming that current age-specific mortality rates remain constant throughout their lifetime.

Information Booster:

• The life expectancy at birth is a critical indicator of a country's overall health status and is influenced by factors such as healthcare quality, nutrition, sanitation, and public health policies.
• In India, life expectancy has been gradually increasing over the years due to improvements in healthcare infrastructure, disease control, and socioeconomic development.
• However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on life expectancy, leading to a decline in 2021. A study by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) revealed that India's life expectancy dropped from 70.4 years in 2019 to 68.8 years in 2021, marking a reduction of 1.6 years. This decline reversed nearly a decade of health improvements. The study attributed this decrease to the 2.2 million excess deaths recorded in 2021, primarily due to the pandemic. Notably, men experienced a more significant decline in life expectancy compared to women during this period.
• Despite this setback, the long-term trend indicates a positive trajectory in life expectancy in India.