Which term refers to the average number of years a newborn is expected to live in a population?

Which term refers to the average number of years a newborn is expected to live in a population?

• A. Life expectancy
• B. Maximum life span
• C. Life span
• D. Expected longevity

Answer: (A)

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn is expected to live in a population, based on current mortality rates. It captures overall survival conditions and can rise or fall with advances in health care, nutrition, and public health. Since it uses mortality patterns at all ages from birth onward, it can be affected by high infant mortality—pulling the average down even if those who survive infancy live longer—so it reflects the population's current level of health and longevity. This differs from the maximum life span, which is the greatest age that a person has lived (or could theoretically reach), and from life span as a term for an individual’s length of life. The idea of “expected longevity” isn’t a standard demographic term.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn is expected to live in a population, based on current mortality rates. It captures overall survival conditions and can rise or fall with advances in health care, nutrition, and public health. Since it uses mortality patterns at all ages from birth onward, it can be affected by high infant mortality—pulling the average down even if those who survive infancy live longer—so it reflects the population's current level of health and longevity. This differs from the maximum life span, which is the greatest age that a person has lived (or could theoretically reach), and from life span as a term for an individual’s length of life. The idea of “expected longevity” isn’t a standard demographic term.