[Life expectancy in Norway--an international perspective]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Health Policy Analysis

Background:

• International comparisons of life expectancy are crucial for setting health service targets.
• Trends in life expectancy influence disease prevention and health promotion strategies.
• Norway's historical position in life expectancy is examined against other developed nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the trend in life expectancy in Norway with selected Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
• To analyze changes in Norway's life expectancy ranking from 1960 to 1990.
• To quantify the impact of applying international mortality rates to the Norwegian population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized standardized life expectancy measures from World Health Organization (WHO) and OECD statistics.
• Compared life expectancy trends between Norway and a selection of OECD countries.
• Calculated potential mortality reductions using age-specific death rates from Japan.

Main Results:

• Norway ranked among the top three countries for life expectancy in 1960 for both genders.
• By 1990, Norway's ranking had declined to tenth for women and ninth for men.
• A two-year deficit in life expectancy for Norwegian women compared to Japanese women in 1990 was observed, indicating a 20% higher mortality rate.

Conclusions:

• Norway's life expectancy trend has become unfavorable relative to other OECD countries.
• A significant gap in life expectancy exists, with potential for substantial mortality reduction.
• Future health policy in Norway should address this concerning trend in life expectancy.