The life expectancy of Belarusians is expected to increase to 72-73 years over the five-year period.
16/08/20110 views
On August 16, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. The National Program for Demographic Security of the Republic of Belarus for 2011-2015 provides for an increase in life expectancy at birth to 72-73 years, a decrease in the general mortality rate of the population to 12.5-13.0 per 1000 people, including those of working age - to 5.0 per 1000 people. This was announced today at a press conference by the First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Petr Grushnik, reports BELTA correspondent.
According to forecasts, with existing trends, by 2030, there will be 841 people of non-working age per 1000 people of working age, compared to 693 people in 2010. Thus, Petr Grushnik emphasized, the burden on the economically active population, the healthcare system, and social protection is increasing.
"Significant losses of labor potential can lead to an increase in the deficit of labor resources, slow down the pace of innovative economic development, and territorial imbalance," noted the ministry representative. "Therefore, in conditions of depopulation, we face a supertask - to stop population decline in the coming years."
In his opinion, strengthening the institution of the family and increasing the birth rate undoubtedly influence the improvement of the demographic situation, but not radically. One of the determining factors of depopulation is the high mortality rate, which, unfortunately, tends to increase.
This indicator makes a significant contribution to low life expectancy. In Belarus, men live 11-15 years, and women 5-10 years less than in developed countries. The average life expectancy of men in Belarus is 64 years, and women - 76 years.
"A very serious problem that has not yet been resolved is the high mortality rate of the working-age population," said Petr Grushnik. "Every fourth resident of the country dies at working age, and among men, every third." External causes (accidents, injuries, poisonings, suicides, etc.) are among the top three causes of death, along with circulatory diseases and oncology. In 2010, 14.3 thousand people died from external causes. "In Belarus, external causes are responsible for 15.4% of male deaths, the same amount as from cancer. This leads not only to losses in the country's labor potential but also to an increase in the number of single-parent families and deterioration of imbalances in the marriage structure of the population," added the First Deputy Minister.
In addition, the country is entering a period of reduction in the number of women of reproductive age. By 2015, the total number of women aged 15-49 will decrease by more than 168 thousand people.
An important component of reducing the population mortality rate is the motivation for a healthy lifestyle, added Petr Grushnik. Measures aimed at forming a conscious attitude towards one's own and others' health are directed towards this – illness should become disadvantageous in terms of professional career and labor income.-0-
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