[Life tables. An approximation to their construction]

The method suggested by the World Health Organization on constructing current life tables is described in order to analyse the mortality by age groups and to estimate life expectancy for the Grândola community, between 1990 and 1992. Mortality rates seem to be high in some younger age groups, but a more detailed investigation should be made about their causes and, if possible, appropriate measures should be taken to correct the above situation. Life expectancy at birth was estimated in 67.75 years for males and 77.42 for females, the first being lower than the average of this country. The described method has the main advantage of being mathematically and conceptually simpler than many others existing in literature, with similar final results.