Indonesian Life Expectancy and How to Extend It

Life expectancy can vary from time to time, even different in each region and country. This difference in life expectancy is influenced by many factors, ranging from the environment, health status, to economic status. So, what is the life expectancy of the Indonesian people like?

Life expectancy is a statistical data that describes the average length of time a person lives in a population. The higher the expectation of a region or country, the better the health and welfare of the people in it.

Indonesian people's life expectancy

Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the life expectancy of the world community in 2018 is 72.5 years. Meanwhile in Indonesia, the life expectancy of the people is 71.5 years.

Based on the latest data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, the life expectancy of the Indonesian people in 2019 was 73.3 years for women and 69.4 years for men. The data is obtained from the average life expectancy in each province in Indonesia, which is 34 provinces.

Of the 34 provinces, the life expectancy of the people of the DI Yogyakarta region in 2019 was the highest for both men and women. Meanwhile, the province with the lowest life expectancy is West Sulawesi.

Even so, the overall life expectancy of the Indonesian people has continued to increase in the last 50 years. This indicates that the quality of the health and socioeconomic status of the Indonesian people has improved.

How to Extend Life Expectancy

Basically, how to extend the life expectancy of an area does not only depend on the local government authority, but is also supported by the behavior of the community to always adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some healthy lifestyles to increase a person's chances of living a long life:

1. Apply a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet with balanced nutrition is one way to help extend life expectancy. There are a variety of healthy foods that you can consume, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

Instead, limit the consumption of foods that are high in saturated fat, high in sugar, and high in salt. These three types of food are at high risk of triggering various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer which can shorten life expectancy.

2. Stay active

Studies show that staying active or exercising can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression. This certainly has a good impact on a person's quality of life, so that it can help extend his life or life expectancy.

Therefore, it is recommended that you exercise at least 30 minutes per day, and of course with the type of exercise that suits your condition. You are also advised to stay active, for example by walking more than sitting, choosing stairs instead of escalators, or cleaning the house in your spare time.

3. Get enough rest

Studies show that people who often sleep less than 5-7 hours per night have a greater risk of experiencing premature death. This is because lack of sleep can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Therefore, get enough sleep, which is 7-9 hours every night.

4. Do not smoke and reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages

There have been many studies that reveal the dangers of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Cigarettes and alcohol can increase the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and liver and pancreatic disease. All of these diseases can lead to premature death.

Unfortunately, there are still many people who practice this bad habit. Indeed, quitting smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages is not easy. However, this must still be pursued for a better quality of life.

5. Manage stress well

Studies show that both women and men who are not able to manage stress are at a higher risk of dying early. Not surprisingly, many other studies link stress with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and even cancer.

Stress is something that is difficult to avoid, but it can be managed. Take your time to refresh your mind, for example by taking a vacation or just chatting with friends. You can also take the time to do breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Life expectancy is statistical data and does not necessarily describe your quality of life. In fact, you are the one who can control the health and well-being of your life.

The ways above are basic ways to build your quality of life for the better and healthier. However, it would be nice if you could also invite people around you to run a healthy living program, so that the life expectancy of the Indonesian people is also getting higher.

Also, don't feel hopeless if you already have a chronic disease or certain medical condition, as this is not a barrier for you to have a good quality of life. The trick is to take treatment according to the doctor's recommendations, regularly check with the doctor, and apply a healthy lifestyle.