WHO European health information at your fingertips.

Data set notes

European Health for All database

Indicators: 565

Updated: 18 October 2024

Contact: Data and Digital Health Unit (DDH)

The following abbreviations are used in the indicator titles:

• SDR: age-standardized death rates (see HFA-DB user manual/Technical notes, page 13, for details)

• FTE: full-time equivalent

• PP: physical persons

• PPP$: purchasing power parities expressed in US $, an internationally comparable scale reflecting the relative domestic purchasing powers of currencies.

More information: http://www.euro.who.int/en/data-and-evidence/databases/european-health-for-all-database-hfa-db

Indicator notes

Life expectancy at age 1 (years)
Indicator code: E060201.T This indicator shares the definition with the parent indicator \"Life expectancy at birth (years)\".

Calculated by WHO/EURO for all countries which report detailed mortality data to WHO, using Wiesler's method. Age disaggregation of mortality data: 0, 1-4, 5-9,10-14, etc, 80-84, 85+.

Unfortunately, some countries are not able to ensure complete registration of all death cases and births. Therefore, life expectancy calculated using incomplete mortality data is higher than it actualy is. In some cases under-registration of deaths may reach 20% and this has to be kept in mind when making comparisons between countries. Particularly high levels of mortality under-registration are observed in countries which were affected by armed conflicts during 1990's, e.g. Georgia, Albania, Tajikistan and some other countries of former USSR and ex-Yugoslavia . In case of Georgia this problem is further aggravated by missing sufficiently accurate population estimates used as denominator._

Country/Area notes

Albania

Life expectancy is much higher than in reality due to the under-registration of death cases.
The sharp increase in 2001 is caused by the sharp change in population age structure based on the
2001 population census.

Armenia

January 2003: The 2002 population is based on the population census and is significantly lower than
estimates for previous years. This also effects the calculation of all rates and other indicators,
like life expectancy which show sharp changes between 2001 and 2002, purely because of the change in
the denominator. Indicators prior to 2002 will be recalculated if the retroactvely adjusted
population figures are received from the Central Statistical Office of Armenia.

Georgia

Data from 1995 onwards are estimates of the State Statisitcs Department made to adjust for
under-registration of deaths. They may be inconsistent with some other mortality-related indicators
which have been calculated using reported data on registered deaths.

Türkiye

Source: TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute).
Data are based on mid-year estimations of national population projections and indirect estimations.

General notes

Understanding Life Expectancy at Age 1 (Years)

Life expectancy at age 1 is a demographic measure that indicates the average number of years a one-year-old child is expected to live, assuming that current mortality rates remain constant throughout their life. This statistic is crucial as it helps to strip out the high mortality rates associated with the first year of life, providing a clearer picture of the underlying health environment. It is particularly useful for assessing the impact of healthcare policies and economic conditions on the survival of infants past their most vulnerable stage. By focusing on this age group, researchers and policymakers can better understand the effects of interventions aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving child health.

The Importance of Life Expectancy at Age 1 (Years)

Life expectancy at age 1 is a vital indicator for gauging the health standards of a society, particularly in its ability to safeguard young children beyond infancy. Governments and health organizations use this data to plan and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that healthcare systems are responsive to the needs of growing populations. This measure also helps in monitoring the success of public health interventions aimed at reducing child mortality and improving maternal and child health services. For communities, understanding changes in this indicator can signal improvements in socio-economic conditions and access to quality healthcare.

Strengths and Limitations of Life Expectancy at Age 1 (Years)

While life expectancy at age 1 is a valuable demographic tool, it comes with its own set of strengths and limitations that influence its utility and accuracy.

Strengths

This measure provides a focused insight into the health environment that children experience after their first year, often reflecting the effectiveness of healthcare policies and economic stability. It is a standardized metric, allowing for consistent comparisons across different regions and time periods. This facilitates global health assessments and helps in benchmarking progress towards international health goals. Additionally, it aids in resource allocation, helping governments and health organizations to target interventions where they are most needed to improve child survival rates.

Limitations

However, the accuracy of life expectancy at age 1 is heavily dependent on the quality of mortality data available. In regions where record-keeping is poor or birth and death registration is incomplete, these estimates may be less reliable. This limitation is particularly pronounced in developing countries where health information systems are still evolving. Moreover, life expectancy at age 1 does not account for the quality of life or the distribution of health outcomes within a population. It also overlooks the broader socio-economic factors that can influence mortality rates, such as poverty, education, and access to clean water and sanitation.

Understanding these strengths and limitations is crucial for effectively using life expectancy at age 1 as a tool for public health planning and policy-making.