Study related to decline in life expectancy post Covid

Source- This post on India’s lost 2.6 years’ life expectancy between 2019 and 2020 has been created based on the article “Covid-19: India lost 2.6 years’ life expectancy between 2019 and 2020” published in “Business Standard” on 20 July 2024.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, India experienced a significant decline in life expectancy, with the most substantial losses observed among socially disadvantaged groups.

Key Findings from the Study

1. India lost 2.6 years in life expectancy between 2019 and 2020, a decline greater than that observed in high-income countries.

2. The decline was more pronounced among females, who lost 3.1 years, compared to males, who lost 2.1 years.

3. Age-Specific Impact:

i) The decline in life expectancy was higher among individuals aged 50-60.

ii) There were significant increases in mortality in the age groups 0-19 and 60-79 among females, and in the age group 40-59 among males.

iii) In high-income countries, the decline in life expectancy was primarily due to increased mortality above age 60, especially above age 80.

4. Social Group Disparities:

i) Muslims experienced the largest decline in life expectancy, from 68.8 years in 2019 to 63.4 years in 2020, a loss of 5.4 years.

ii) Scheduled Tribes saw a reduction of 4.1 years.

ii) Scheduled Castes experienced a reduction of 2.7 years.

iv) Both OBCs and high caste Hindus experienced a decline of 1.3 years each.

5. Gender and Social Group Analysis:

i) Muslim females experienced a loss of 6.6 years in life expectancy, compared to a loss of 4.6 years for Muslim males.

ii) Scheduled Castes females experienced a loss of 4.6 years, compared to a loss of 1.1 years for SC males.

iii) Scheduled Tribes males experienced a higher loss of 5.4 years, compared to 2.7 years for ST females.

iv) Females from OBCs and high caste Hindus experienced a loss of 1.9 years each, compared to a loss of 0.7 years for OBC males and 0.9 years for high caste Hindu males.

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