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Life expectancy in Nigeria jumps to 55 years!

-Top 20 causes of death in Nigeria

-Top 12 and bottom 12 countries

-Why women live longer than men

 

Despite boasting Africa’s largest economy with a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of about $500 billion, and one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Nigeria has the 12th lowest life expectancy globally!

This is according to 2013 data published by World Health Organisation (WHO) which puts Nigeria’s life expectancy at 55 years (female 55 years, male 54 years), giving the country a World Life Expectancy ranking of 184 of 195 countries.

In 2011, the country’s life expectancy was pegged at 52 years – then the 17th lowest; while in 1990 it stood at 46 years.

The WHO data also outlined the top causes of death in the country…

 

Influenza and Pneumonia

Influenza and Pneumonia result in 290,238 deaths annually, which is 15.22 percent of all deaths recorded.

 

HIV/AIDS

The deadly virus leads to 217,354 deaths, that’s 11.40 percent of all deaths annually.

 

Malaria

Malaria accounts for 180,504 deaths – 9.47 percent.

 

Diarrhoeal diseases

Diarrhoeal diseases account for 6.85 percent of deaths (130,610).

 

Meningitis

Meningitis accounts for 75,630 deaths (3.97 percent).

 

Stroke

Stroke causes 69,785 deaths (3.66 percent of total deaths).

 

Coronary Heart Disease

Accounts for 53,836 deaths (that’s 2.82 percent).

 

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes leads to 31,996 deaths (forming 1.68 percent of deaths).

 

Liver Disease

Accounts for 37,329 deaths (1.96 percent)

 

Prostate Cancer

Causes 9,629 deaths (0.51 percent).

 

Liver Disease

Accounts for 37,329 deaths (1.96 percent).

 

Others are:

 Road Traffic Accidents (51,633 deaths, 2.71 percent)

 Malnutrition (52,888 deaths, 2.77 percent)

 Low Birth Weight (98,528 deaths, 5.17 percent)

 Maternal Conditions (40,636 deaths, 2.13 percent)

 Tuberculosis (26,220 deaths, 1.38 percent)

 Breast Cancer (13,264 deaths, 0.70 percent)

 Birth Trauma (89,271 deaths, 4.68 percent)

 Falls (29,792 deaths, 1.56 percent)

 Violence (34,006 deaths, 1.78 percent)

 Fires (40,911 deaths, 2.15 percent)

 

TOP 12 AND BOTTOM 12 WORLD LIFE EXPECTANCY

While Japan remains the country with the highest life expectancy at 84 years; the bottom 12 is dominated by African countries, Nigeria inclusive

 

TOP 12 COUNTRIES

1 Japan – 84 (female: 87; male: 80)

2 Spain – 83 (female: 86; male: 80)

3 Andorra – 83 (female: 86; male 79)

4 Singapore – 83 (female 85; male 81)

5 Switzerland – 83 (female 85; male 81)

6 Australia – 83 (female 85; male 80)

7 Italy – 83 (female 85; male 80)

8 San Marino – 83 (female 84; male 83)

9 France – 82 (female 85; male 79)

10 Monaco – 82 (female 85; male 79)

11 Republic of Korea – 82 (female 85; male 78)

12 Iceland – 82 (female 84; male 81)

 

BOTTOM 12

184 Nigeria 55 (female 55; male 54)

185 Somalia 54 (female 56; male 53)

186 Guinea-Bissau – 54 (female 55; male 53)

187 Mozambique – 54 (female 55; male 53)

188 Côte d’Ivoire – 53 (female 54; male 52)

189 Swaziland – 53 (female 53; male 53)

190 Democratic Republic of the Congo – 52 (female 54; male 51)

191 Chad – 52 (female 53; male – 51)

192 Angola – 52 (female 53; male 50)

193 Central African Republic – 51 (female 52; male 50)

194 Lesotho – 50 (female 52; male 48

195 Sierra Leone – 46 (female 46; male 46)

 

ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with a medical doctor, Dr. Segun Ogunwale, and he gave us insight into the causes of Nigeria’s low life expectancy and why women generally live longer than men.

His words: “The environment we live is a big contributing factor to the low life expectancy. Our environment is unhygienic.

Also, we are more prone to epidemics in this part of the world due to ignorance on the part of the people and poor health care system.”

On why women live longer than men in many parts of the world, the physician added:

“Women take better care of their health than men, generally. They eat healthier than men, and have more interest in living healthy lifestyle compared to men.

“Women are more likely to visit the hospital, men usually wait until they break down before they see a doctor.

“Also, more men than women indulge in habits that are harmful to the body. For instance, more men smoke than women, more men drink alcohol than women. There are more men drivers than women.”

  • MICHAEL NWOKIKE
Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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