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Mortality in China 1964-2000
Judith Banister1, Kenneth Hill
1Javelin Investments, Beijing, China. Judith_Banister@yahoo.com
Population Studies
|June 19, 2004
Summary
China experienced significant improvements in life expectancy from the 1960s to 2000, rising from around 60 to over 71 years. This study analyzes mortality trends and data completeness, revealing high-quality reporting.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding long-term mortality trends in China is crucial for public health policy.
- Assessing the accuracy of demographic data is essential for reliable population studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-estimate mortality levels and trends in China between the 1960s and 2000.
- To evaluate the completeness and quality of death reporting in Chinese censuses and surveys.
- To analyze factors contributing to improved survival rates despite healthcare system changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from censuses and surveys (1982-2000).
- Applied the General Growth Balance method to assess death reporting completeness.
- Reviewed various direct and indirect sources for child mortality estimates.
Main Results:
- Concluded high reporting quality for deaths above the youngest ages in recent censuses.
- Estimated life expectancy increased from approximately 60 years (1964-82) to over 71 years by 2000.
- Observed continued improvement in survival rates despite healthcare privatization and limited insurance.
Conclusions:
- China has achieved remarkable gains in life expectancy and survival.
- Demographic data quality is robust, supporting the observed mortality trends.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the drivers of improved survival in the evolving healthcare landscape.