Key Facts (2017–2021 vs 2016–2020)
- Life expectancy at birth dropped from 70.0 to 69.8 years, marking the first decline in nearly 50 years .
- Urban areas saw a sharper decrease (~0.3 years), compared to rural areas (0.1 years) .
- State variations:
- Delhi recorded the highest (≈ 73 years for males), Kerala for females (~77.9 years);
- Chhattisgarh lowest for both (~62.8 years for males, ~66.4 years for females) .
Underlying Causes
- COVID‑19 Pandemic (especially the Delta wave) dramatically increased mortality, with a 26% jump in deaths during 2021, including nearly 2 million excess deaths .
- Secondary impacts: heightened deaths from non-COVID causes due to healthcare system strain and disruptions in routine services .
UPSC Relevance
| GS Paper | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| GS‑1 | Demographic indicators, regional disparities, COVID impact |
| GS‑2 | Public health management, system resilience, policy gaps |
| GS‑3 | Health infrastructure, pandemic response, data systems |
| GS‑4 | Ethical governance in crisis, equitable healthcare delivery |
Previous-Year Question (UPSC Mains)
Q (GS‑3, 2022)
“The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them?”
Answer Elements:
- Challenges: Rise of NCDs, geriatric care demand, mental health, economic burden, long-term care needs.
- Solutions: Strengthening primary and geriatric healthcare, preventive medicine, insurance coverage, infrastructure, R&D.
Final Takeaway
The recent dip in life expectancy is not just a statistical anomaly—it signals a major setback in India’s health trajectory. For UPSC exams, analyze it as:
- A vital demographic and governance indicator.
- A catalyst for health policy reforms, preparedness frameworks, and equity in crisis response.
- A lens to examine ethical, administrative, and infrastructural resilience amid pandemics.
