Change on previous period2015–19Population health
West Bengal's life expectancy at birth rose to 72.1 years in 2015–19, from 71.6 in 2014–18 (+0.7%).
What happened
- 2015–19
- 72.1
- 2014–18
- 71.6
- Change
- +0.5
- Change, per cent
- +0.7%
Why it matters
Annual and multi-year figures move slowly. A step this size is compared with how far the same series usually moves from one period to the next, so an ordinary year does not read as news.
For life expectancy at birth, higher is better. This movement is therefore assessed as an improvement.
Historical context
Compared with the previous round, 2014–18. Survey rounds are years apart, so this is a change between rounds, not a recent movement. The two periods overlap, so most of the underlying data is shared.
The underlying data
| Period | Value | Release | Where in the document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–19 | 72.1 | SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SRS)-ABRIDGED LIFE TABLES 2015-2019 | Abridged Life Tables 2015-19, Statement 3, p.11, row "West Bengal", column Total Total |
| 2014–18 | 71.6 | SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SRS)-ABRIDGED LIFE TABLES 2014-2018 | Abridged Life Tables 2014-18, Statement 3, p.12, row "West Bengal", column Total Total |
Source and method
More signals for life expectancy at birth in West Bengal
- West Bengal: life expectancy at birth of 72.7 years in 2020–24 is the highest of the 9 periods on record.
- West Bengal's life expectancy at birth rose to 72.7 years in 2020–24, from 72.5 in 2019–23 (+0.3%).
- West Bengal: life expectancy at birth of 72.5 years in 2019–23 is the highest of the 8 periods on record.
- West Bengal's life expectancy at birth rose to 72.5 years in 2019–23, from 72.1 in 2018–22 (+0.6%).
- West Bengal's life expectancy at birth was unchanged at 72.1 years in 2018–22.
- West Bengal's life expectancy at birth fell to 72.1 years in 2017–21, from 72.3 in 2016–20 (−0.3%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, West Bengal's life expectancy at birth rose to 72.1 years in 2015–19, from 71.6 in 2014–18 (+0.7%). Source: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SRS)-ABRIDGED LIFE TABLES 2015-2019. https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/life-expectancy-at-birth--west-bengal--2015-2019--period_change
See also West Bengal and 72.1 years in context.