lífhorfur

Lífhorfur is an Icelandic term that translates to "life expectancy" in English. It refers to the average number of years a person is expected to live, given their current age and other demographic factors. This metric is a key indicator of the general health and well-being of a population.

Factors influencing life expectancy are diverse and interconnected. They include access to healthcare, quality of medical services, lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, environmental conditions, socioeconomic status, and public health initiatives. Generally, countries with advanced economies, robust healthcare systems, and higher living standards tend to have higher life expectancies.

Life expectancy is typically presented as an average for a given population, often broken down by sex. While it provides a useful statistical measure, it's important to remember that it represents an average and individual lifespans can vary significantly. Advances in medicine, improvements in sanitation, and greater public health awareness have historically contributed to increasing life expectancy worldwide over the past centuries. Conversely, factors like pandemics, conflict, or widespread disease outbreaks can negatively impact these figures.