Evolving Life Expectancy in Western Countries

As part of the new series on population ageing in its social, economic and physiological aspects launched in this September-October issue, Magali Barbieri takes stock of how life expectancy figures have changed over a long period in France and, more broadly, in Western countries. She shows, for example, how life expectancy has evolved since the 19^th century and what have been the principal drivers of change: the combatting of infectious diseases, a growth—followed by a fall—in cardio-vascular disease, cancers, behavioural factors (tobacco, accidents, suicide etc.). Barbieri reminds us also of the significant transformation in the mortality age structure (with infant mortality having virtually bottomed out) and shines a light on a number of special cases (USA, Covid-19). Lastly, she offers some perspectives on the future development of life expectancy, which remains linked to human behaviour (addiction, obesity etc.) and might run up against an upper age ceiling on account of the development of neuro-degenerative diseases and, also, climate change (with frequent heatwaves precipitating deaths among the elderly).