SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Life expectancy of South Korean babies hit a record high last year, statistical ministry data showed Wednesday.
Average life expectancy of the babies born in 2024 reached 83.7 years, up 0.2 years longer than the previous year, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It marked the longest since relevant data began to be compiled in 1970 when the average life span was 62.3 years.
The life expectancy had steadily increased except for the first decrease in 2022, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Male babies born in 2024 were expected to live 80.8 years, while female babies were forecast to live 86.6 years.
The gender gap in life expectancy had declined from 8.6 years in 1985 to 7.3 years in 2000 and 5.8 years in 2024.
The average life expectancy for the boys was 2.3 years longer than the average among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, while the life expectancy for the girls was 2.9 years longer. ■