Core Insights - The average life expectancy of newborns in South Korea reached a record high of 83.7 years in the previous year, an increase of 0.2 years from the prior year [1] - Since the start of data collection in 1970, the average life expectancy for newborns in South Korea has been on a continuous rise, with a brief decline only in 2022 [1] Summary by Category Life Expectancy - The life expectancy for males is 80.8 years and for females is 86.6 years, with male life expectancy reaching a historical high for the first time [1] - The gap between male and female life expectancy has narrowed to 5.8 years, continuing a trend of reduction since 1985 [1] Healthy Life Expectancy - The healthy life expectancy for newborns in South Korea is 65.5 years, indicating that approximately 18.2 years (21%) of their total life expectancy is spent in a state of illness or health limitation [1] - For males, the healthy life expectancy constitutes 79.9% of their overall life expectancy, while for females it is 76.7% [1] Causes of Mortality - The leading cause of death affecting the average life expectancy in South Korea is cancer, accounting for 19.5% of deaths, followed by pneumonia, heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases [1] Healthcare Access - Recent improvements in healthcare accessibility and increased hospital visit frequency have positively influenced the changes in healthy life expectancy statistics [1] - Changes in disease structure before and after the pandemic have also impacted life expectancy estimates across different age groups [1]