ABSTRACT
During the 60-year period since 1950, average life expectancy in Asia has increased by more than 28 years from 42 to 70. The intercountry variation in life expectancy has been narrowing over time. The difference between the highest and lowest life expectancy was 41 years in 1950–1955 but only 24 years in 2005–2010. Rapid economic development, industrialization, urbanization and increases in education are the main causes of mortality decline. Other factors include efficient public health programs, increases in the status of women and income equality. But war, major civil unrest and sudden changes in political and economic systems can disrupt the transition. Fertility in Asian countries has shown very rapid overall decline, with wide intercountry variations in the speed and extent of the decline. As of 2005–2010, period TFR was below replacement level in 20 of 51 Asian countries but remained at more than four children per woman in five countries. A high level of income is associated with a low level of overall fertility. Greater industrialization and a higher status of women are associated with both lower overall fertility and delayed childbearing, and the association is stronger for delayed childbearing.
