The General Statistics Office (GSO) has released the 2023 Statistical Yearbook, which shows that the average life expectancy increased by one year to 74.5. The life expectancy of Vietnamese men increased by one year, and women by 0.8 year.

In 2019-2022, Vietnamese life expectancy was 73.6-73.7 years. Vietnamese women live 5.3 years longer on average than men. In 2023, Vietnamese women’s life expectancy rose to 77.2, while men’s life expectancy increased to 72.1.

“The life expectancy of Vietnamese is higher than many other countries with similar income per capita,” said Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan.

According to GSO, urbanites have higher life expectancy than rural people (76.8 vs 74.3). However, the life expectancy of city people did not increase too sharply over last year, while the life expectancy of rural people rose by 1.6 years in the last four years, from 72.7 in 2020 to 74.3 in 2023.

The southeastern region (HCMC, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, etc) had the highest life expectancy (76.3), while the Central Highlands had the lowest (72). In the Red River Delta (Hanoi, Hung Yen, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh), the figure was 75.7, a half year higher over the year before.

HCM City had the highest life expectancy (76.5), followed by Ba Ria – VungT au and Dong Nai, 76.4 and 76.3, respectively. Hanoians’ life expectancy was 76.1, higher than the country’s average.

Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Kon Tum had the lowest life expectancy, 69.9, 69.8 and 69.7, respectively. However, the situation improved in 2023 with Kon Tum increasing by 1.7 years compared with 2023 (from 68 to 69.7), and Dien Bien by 1.5 years (from 68.4 to 69.9), higher than the country’s average increase.

The increase was attributed to better living conditions and healthcare.

However, the Ministry of Heath pointed out that the number of years that Vietnamese live with diseases has increased. In general, Vietnamese live healthily until 65, and with disease 10 years.

The elderly usually have 2-3 underlying conditions. 

This could be attributed to pollution and nutritional factors. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes are often caused by smoking or obesity, or being overweight.

Vo Thu