According to the latest United Nations World Population Prospects data, Nigeria has been ranked as the country with the lowest life expectancy in the world, with the average life span standing at approximately 54.9 years.
Breaking down the figures:
- Men in Nigeria are reported to live an average of 54.3 years.
- Women fare only marginally better, with an average life expectancy of 54.9 years.
Nigeria ranks just below Chad (55.2 years), South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (both around 57.7 years) in a list of 25 countries with the shortest lifespans globally.
Contributing Factors & Concerns:
Experts and reports point to several major challenges that help explain Nigeria’s low life expectancy:
- High maternal and infant mortality rates, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- Weakhealthcare infrastructure and limited access to essential medical services in many parts of the country, compounded further by insecurity.
- The burden of communicable diseases (such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis) remains high.
- Environmental and socio-economic issues: poverty, inadequate sanitation, malnutrition, and poor living conditions contribute significantly to premature mortality.
Response & What Needs to Change:
The Federal Ministry of Health has pledged reforms, including expanding universal health coverage and improving public health infrastructure.
However, many stakeholders argue that progress has been too slow, and accurate data collection remains an issue. Some critics suggest the metrics used might undercount certain populations or regions.
Why This Matters:
This revelation is alarming not only as a statistical record but as a signal of deeper public health and development challenges for Nigeria. Life expectancy is a broad indicator of many things: how well the healthcare system works, levels of poverty, education, nutrition, and more. Low life expectancy reflects systemic issues that affect many lives.
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