Factors That Determine Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is based on several indicators.  It is measured through socio-economic factors of a particular society in conjunction with per capita income, health expenditure, hygienic conditions, education, and social security provisions. In some cases, other provisions like safe environment, nutrition, safety, individual rights, human rights, and recreational activities are taken into account. 

There are extrinsic and intrinsic values of life. The physical facilities are extrinsic values and considered as fundamental aspects of life expectancy. Any society lives on it because intrinsic values differ in a person's life. When we talk of intrinsic values of life, it refers to social, emotional, psychological aspects of life known as superstructure values of life.  In many societies when basic conditions are fulfilled, then the state thinks of the higher goals of life. 

Changing expectations 

As societies are becoming diverse and multifarious, human expectations change rapidly. Past values are no more compatible and people are at the crossroads of several changing and emerging values of life.  In the past, life expectancy generally meant how basic needs of a person are fulfilled in a particular society on a par with the living standards prescribed for an average man. This concept is relative for such conditions and necessities are different in different societies.  That is, life expectancy of a person in American society may be different from that of Nepali societies.

Life expectancy has something to do with ways how people try to see life.  It is a way how state sees an individual life, and how an individual sees it, though always wanting in progressive mode. To be precise, this is an interaction of an individual and society in terms of expectation and reality.  In realistic sense, a country cannot fulfill all desires of a person.  Therefore, there is an average outlook, despite there are some efforts to improve living conditions of life.    

Many societies report that life expectancy is on constant rise, contributed by modern medical science and welfare motive of the state and social security provisions. Welfare notions are now being considered motivation to sustain positive outlook for life.  With the growing life expectancy figures, governments have to pump a huge amount of money that could be exploited for national development. Increasing cost for goods and services for ever increasing populace, obviously, go for non productive sectors. There is another side of the coin. However, the state cannot refrain from basic fundamental subsidies to people because state imposes heavy tax for this and public have grudges in demanding timely facilities. 

Having that said, the concept of life expectancy seems to be caught on two pronged dichotomies: the state welfare responsibility versus immediate national priorities.  State, however, cannot manage life expectancy of the people out of random. There are facts and details in them. For example, a country's national income, per capita, national pace of development, gross domestic products and other economic attributes play significant roles in it. However, it should be based on rational situation. Some countries fail when they try to provide so much to the people when their pace of development is in flagrant stage. 

We can see the conditions of Sri Lanka, which pumped a huge amount of money in welfare motive and that economic burden could not support the national income. Some earlier times, we have seen Argentinean crises which were almost in bankrupt position. There are some new concepts coming that state should not be whole in managing all peoples problems. They have to also consider themselves and try to seek developing mindsets in the long run.  Furthermore, the modern concept of life expectancy is far more dynamic than previously assumed. It is now associated with qualitative life. That is, life expectancy is not only matter of age; it is also a matter of human productive aspirations. 

Implicit factors

That said, we should also consider some implicit factors like happiness and quality life index, beside the explicit factors like living, age, and personal capabilities, health facilities, pensions and social security.  In this sense, age is merely the duration between the two extremes: life and death.  For example, if one can live for hundred years and if he doesn't live happily, all that means nothing. It is commonly said:   life is not adding merely days but adding joyful moments in it. Many people therefore contend the views that life expectancy is something to do with individual, social, financial, cultural and spiritual capital. Though it may sound a bit ideological concept, some countries are making progress in this process.

 However, countries like Nepal are still staggering for basic needs.  Notion for social welfares therefore can be burdensome.  We can also see many socialistic countries which have been bankrupt and now are steering their economic ambitions. There are also some other visionary elements in life expectancy. Individual and social dynamics are in play. Education, technological expertise and capability enhancement stretch the domain of life expectancy. If proper capacity enhancement of a persona is made, such life of person is attributive to creating economic possibilities.  This can also increase social capital. Recent modern theories indicate that economic activities can have long lasting impact when they have positive chain effects. At the same time, expansion of time in life is not always welcoming if a person does not welcome life with full grace. 

(The author is an assistant professor at RR Campus, Kathamndu.)