South Koreans Live Over 12 Years Longer on Average Than North Koreans

The gap in life expectancy between North and South Koreans continues to widen.  I wonder if this includes all the forced abortions in North Korea?:

South Koreans live 12 years more than their compatriots in the North on average, mainly due to fewer newborn deaths, government data showed Sunday.

According to Statistics Korea, the life expectancy of a South Korean stood at 78.2 years for men and 85 for women. Corresponding numbers for North Korea were 66 for men and 72.7 for women.

This translates into an average South Korean man living 12.2 years longer than one in the North, while a South Korean woman could expect to live 12.3 years longer.

The latest estimate showed that if current trends continue, the gap could widen to 14.5 years for men and shrink to 11.9 years for women by 2055.

In that year, a South Korean man’s life expectancy could hit 85.9 years and that for a woman could reach 89.8 years.

The statistical agency said the major reason for the difference can be found in the high infant mortality rate in North Korea.  [Yonhap]

You can read the rest at the link.