Results: Life in Canada and the USA is pretty good and we seem to be living longer to enjoy it (or survive in it). Other countries are not so lucky, although luck may have little to do with it. Here are some live stats you might find interesting.
Published on 08/31/2025
I was out for a walk with my dog this evening after an enjoyable meal. The air was clean, the sun was shining, the streets were safe, my human rights were not under threat, I was in no danger of going hungry, or broke, All in all I said to myself, life is quite good. I had recently seen some information on life expectancy which, while concerning, made me appreciate the life I have and where I have it. There are worse places for sure. Much worse.
QUESTIONS
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1.
1.
Here are some mortality rates at the low end of the scale. This (worldometers) survey lists the top 201 countries and there may be worse. Were you aware they were so bad?
#201 Nigeria. The country is rich in resources and the population is reasonably educated but crime, corruption and extremely high infant mortality (10% of children die before age 5) gives a life expectancy of only 55.78 years.
26%
515 votes
#187 Liberia. This is a country established by former slaves. It has not been given much in the way of support by the countries that enslaved them and could use some help. In the meantime, life expectancy is only 62.47 years
19%
380 votes
#175 Haiti. On one side of the island of Hispaniola there is this former French colony that seems to be perpetually in a state of chaos. It has a life expectancy of 65 years. On the other side of the same island, we have the more democratic former Spanish colony of Dominican Republic in #106 place with a life expectancy of 73.99 years. One side of the island is popular with tourists, the other isn't.
34%
680 votes
Not Interested
51%
1015 votes
2.
2.
Here are three more countries of interest. We probably have some ideas why their life expectancy is so low. Which is/are lower than you expected?
#112 Russia: Average life span 73.52 years. Russians seem to be accident prone - falling off balconies for example.
19%
382 votes
#109 North Korea. Average life span 73.86 years. Fewer balconies in North Korea.
17%
347 votes
#99 Ukraine: Average life span 74.86 years. I like that they live longer than the Russians.
23%
451 votes
None
25%
504 votes
Not Interested
36%
726 votes
3.
3.
Here are three more. Which of these suprise you?
#57 China: Life expectancy 78.37 years
16%
325 votes
#48 USA: Life expectancy 79.61 years.
21%
410 votes
#37 UK: Life expectancy 81.60 years
22%
441 votes
None
25%
491 votes
Not Interested
33%
657 votes
4.
4.
Here are the final three. If we don't freeze in winter or pass away from smoke inhalation, Canadians do quite well. Which of these last three surprise you?
#19 Canada: Average life expectancy is 82.88 years.
21%
414 votes
#2 Japan: Average life expectancy is 85 years.
17%
341 votes
#1 Hong Kong: Average life expectancy is 85.77 years.
24%
480 votes
None
27%
539 votes
Not Interested
29%
585 votes
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