Life expectancy is defined as what measure?

Life expectancy is defined as the average age someone is expected to live when they are born. This measure is important in understanding the overall health and longevity of a population. It takes into account various factors such as mortality rates, healthcare access, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. By averaging the age at death across a population, life expectancy provides insights into the quality of life and the effectiveness of health policies in a given area.

Other definitions, such as retirement age, fertility rates, or income levels, do not capture the concept of life expectancy. Retirement age pertains specifically to when individuals are expected to cease working, while the average number of children per family refers to demographic and family planning aspects. Average income reflects economic conditions but does not directly relate to life span or health outcomes. Understanding life expectancy is crucial for evaluating disparities in health and promoting public health initiatives.