Adult Mortality in Asia

Abstract

Asia, the largest and most populous continent in the world, has experienced a rapid demographic transition since the end of World War II. According to a recent estimate by the United Nations Population Division (UN Population Division 2009), between 1950–1955 and 2005–2010 life expectancy at birth in Asia has increased from 41 to 69 years and the total fertility rate has fallen from 5.7 to 2.4 children per woman. Largely driven by these changes, Asia’s population size has nearly tripled. More than four billion people, accounting for 60% of the world total, now live in some 50 countries and areas in Asia (UN Population Division 2009).