How Do Experts Calculate Life Expectancy?
Life expectancy is defined as the average lifespan between a given age and death. Mathematical formulas exist that can determine individual life expectancies and the life expectancy of a larger population. In the latter case, one can calculate life expectancy from a population’s life table. This chart is compiled through analysis of statistics. The mortality rate, or death rate, is determined for each group in a population. Subsequently, the mortality rates are used to compose a graph known as a survival curve. From this graph, one can calculate life expectancy. The life expectancy formula is taken by first calculating the probability of a population’s survival at every year in the life table.
