Analysis of Lower Life Expectancy at Birth in Iran Compared to Japan: Effects of Age Groups and Causes of Death

Since at least half a century ago, life expectancy at birth in Iran has increased significantly, however, there is still a fundamental difference between life expectancy in Iran and developed countries, such as Japan. This study seeks to identify the potential for increasing life expectancy in Iran.

The number of registered deaths in Iran by age, sex and cause of death for 2015 was obtained from the death registration system of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the I. R. Iran and also Japans death information for 2015 was obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. After evaluating and analyzing the data, using the Arriga analysis method, the share of age groups and causes of death in the difference in life expectancy at birth of the two countries was calculated.

The increase in life expectancy at birth for Japanese men and women compared to Iran was 7.2 years and 10 years, respectively. The difference between the two countries in infant mortality in both sexes, as well as deaths of old age, especially for women, play a major role in the difference in life expectancy between the two countries. In addition, cardiovascular disease has been the main driver for the lower life expectancy of men (3.7 years) and women (5.5 years) in Japan/

It is essential that policymakers and planners increase life expectancy and community health, by reducing infant and child mortality, reducing unintentional accidents, especially at a young age, and control and improve the condition of cardiovascular disease in old age.