HC Deb 19 November 2003 vol 413 cc945-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on life expectancy in developing countries in(a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000. [139641]

Hilary Benn

The figures for life expectancy in developing countries are as follows:

Number
1980 60
1990 63
2001 64

Life expectancy in developing countries is therefore improving steadily, but not dramatically. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is dramatically reducing life expectancy in the worst affected countries. By 2010, life expectancy in many African countries will fall to around 30 years of age, levels not seen since the end of the nineteenth century. The demographic impact outside Africa will be less severe but still significant.

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