Developments in life expectancy in Germany. Current trends

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 1990s, life expectancy in Germany has increased by 4.2 years among women (to 83.2 years), and by 5.9 years among men (to 78.4 years). This rise is related to the increasing convergence of life expectancy in Germany’s new and old federal states. Recently, life expectancy among women in the new federal states has even risen slightly above the level found in the old federal states. In addition, differences between socioeconomic groups continue to be observed in Germany. Women in the highest income group have a 4.4-year longer life expectancy than women in the lowest income group. Similarly, an 8.6-year difference exists between men in the highest income group and men in the lowest income group. Influenza waves can adversely affect the development of life expectancy in certain calendar years. In comparison to other European countries, Germany has a mid-range life expectancy: the current difference between life expectancy in Germany and Switzerland (the European country with the highest life expectancy) is 2.7 years.