[The 1985/87 mortality table]

The life-table is a mathematical model. On the base of probabilities of death the life-table gives statements about the expectation of life for each age. It also shows how many persons will--on an average--reach a certain age. Since 1871/81 the life expectancy for newborn children has doubled. 1871/81 only 74.7% of all male new-born children finished the first year, to-day this share is more than 99%. During this time the number of male persons that reached an age of 80 years increased from 5% to 37%.