Elinaikakäyrä

Elinaikäkäyrä, often translated as life expectancy curve or survival curve, is a graphical representation used in demography and actuarial science to illustrate the remaining lifespan of individuals within a given population. It typically plots the probability of survival against age. The horizontal axis represents age, starting from birth and extending throughout the expected lifespan of the population, while the vertical axis represents the proportion of the initial cohort still alive at each age.

The shape of the elinaikäkäyrä provides insights into mortality patterns. A steep decline in the curve indicates high mortality rates at younger ages, often seen in historical populations or in regions with poor healthcare and living conditions. Conversely, a flatter curve, particularly at older ages, suggests that a larger proportion of the population survives to advanced ages, characteristic of more developed societies with better medical care and sanitation.

Demographers use elinaikäkäyrät to compare mortality trends between different countries, time periods, or demographic groups. They are a fundamental tool for understanding population health, planning for social security and healthcare systems, and evaluating the impact of public health interventions. Changes in the elinaikäkäyrä over time can signal improvements or declines in overall population well-being. The curve is derived from life tables, which systematically record death rates and probabilities of survival at each age.