5 countries where life expectancy remains alarmingly low

Developments in the field of technology, healthcare, and science have significantly improved the living conditions of people in many countries. However, this is not the case with many countries though, as they are facing other challenges like political turmoil, poverty, and improper healthcare facilities. This means many factors contribute to the life expectancy of people of a country. This list is as per the data based on the United Nations populations Division estimates. So, here are five countries where short life expectancy have been reported, where people are struggling with severe socio-economic conditions.

Chad has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, at just 55 years. The nation has been dealing with a number of problems for a while now, such as malnutrition, severe poverty, limited access to clean water, basic healthcare, and much more. Inadequate medical facilities, a poorly established healthcare system have affected people here and their life expectancy. Diseases like respiratory infections, diarrhoeal illnesses, and malaria are rampant here, significantly affecting both children and adult mortality rates.

As per the records, the average lifespan in Nigerians is approximately 54 years. It's disheartening to see how millions of people are struggling for basic necessities of life, live in poverty and that there is a huge wealth disparity even though it's one of Africa's largest economies. So, what is the main cause of the low life expectancy? Infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria are to be blamed, according to research and experts. This is further compounded by a lack of access to high-quality healthcare. Furthermore, political unrest and regional conflicts have exacerbated this health crisis.

The life expectancy in Lesotho, a small nation in southern Africa, is 57 years. The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which affects over 23% of the adult population, is one of the main health issues in Lesotho. Many people lack access to life-saving antiretroviral medicine, and the healthcare system fails to deliver quality treatment and preventative programs. In addition, poverty exacerbates general health issues, and tuberculosis is pervasive.

According to records, the average lifespan in the Central African Republic (CAR) is around 57 years, highlighting the severe effects of decades of poverty, armed conflict, and political instability on the nation's healthcare system. Many communities in CAR lack access to essential needs like clean water, nutritious food, and medical services. Diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea contribute to elevated child mortality rates, further reducing life expectancy. This ongoing combination of limited resources and persistent instability continues to adversely affect public health outcomes in the region.

Although the world's youngest nation, this country sees a life expectancy of just 57 years. And there are many reasons for this, such as inadequate healthcare services, not enough food, displacement, and continuous civil violence. People have been facing these issues for a long time. The other factors that further add up to the issues are malnutrition, poor sanitation, and infectious diseases including malaria and cholera are common. Due to a dearth of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, many individuals do not have access to basic medical treatment.