Over the past five decades, China has witnessed a remarkable improvement in the health and longevity of its people. According to the World Bank, life expectancy at birth in China has nearly doubled from 40 years in 1961 to an impressive 78 years in 2021. This surge places China among the nations with the fastest increases in life expectancy globally.
In 1961, China's life expectancy was 6.3 years below the world average and 24.3 years lower than that of higher-middle-income countries. Fast forward to 2021, and China not only surpassed the world average by 6.1 years but also narrowed the gap with high-income countries to just 3.2 years. Alongside this, key health indicators such as maternal and infant mortality have seen significant declines, outperforming the averages of upper-middle-income countries.
The rapid increase in life expectancy is a testament to China's long-term commitment to public health. Embracing a people-centered development approach, China has continuously reformed its medical and healthcare systems, carving out a unique path for public health promotion.
One of the critical factors has been the substantial increase in health funding. From 11 billion yuan in 1978, the total national health expenditure surged to 7.55 trillion yuan by 2021, with per capita spending rising from 11 yuan to approximately 5,400 yuan.
Accessibility to health services has also vastly improved. The number of medical and health institutions grew from 270,000 in 1961 to over 1.03 million in 2021. A 2021 survey revealed that nearly 90% of Chinese families can reach the nearest medical center within 15 minutes.
China has established the world's largest basic medical security network, covering up to 1.35 billion people with a coverage rate exceeding 95%. Additionally, the country has strengthened its public health services by building a robust disease prevention and control system and promoting healthy lifestyles among its population.
Equitable health services have been a priority, with a focus on community-level and rural healthcare accessibility. Special attention has been directed towards vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, the disabled, and the poor, ensuring that health advancements benefit all segments of society.
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Rapid increase in life expectancy attests to China's development
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