Average life expectancy in China reaches 79 years in 2024: Health Minister

China's average life expectancy rate for 2024 had reached 79 years, up by 0.4 years from 2023, Health Minister Lei Haichao said on Sunday.

Lei, minister of the National Health Commission, said that China now ranks the fourth among 53 middle-and-high-income countries and the 10th among the Group of 20 countries in terms of overall life expectancy.

The nation has also overtaken 21 high-income countries in life expectancy, he said during a news conference held during the ongoing two sessions.

"Notably, the gap in health levels across different provinces has been shrinking," he said, adding that average life expectancies in eight provincial regions including Beijing and Shanghai having already exceeded 80 years.

"China's average life expectancy registers a significant rise of 1.5 years from 2019," he said. "The number is expected to continue climbing in the coming years".

To further enhance overall health of Chinese people, Lei highlighted the significance of combating chronic diseases, particularly by promoting weight management and healthy lifestyles.

Efforts will focus on creating a supportive social environment for weight management, such as equipping weight scales in hotels, intensifying awareness campaigns, and setting up more weight management clinics at hospitals.