The average life expectancy of Chinese women has increased from
73.3 years in 2000 to 74.1 years, according to the National Working
Committee for Children and Women under the State Council.
Ahead of Women's Day on Thursday, an official from the committee
said that the longer life expectancy was partly due to a lower
maternal mortality rate.
In rural areas, about 81 percent of women now give birth in
hospitals, a rise of 15.8 percent from 2000. The maternal mortality
rate dropped from 53 per 100,000 in 2000 to 47.7 per 100,000 in
2005, according to the committee.
However, the gap between the urban and rural areas is a cause
for concern. The maternal mortality rate in rural areas is 2.1
times that of urban areas and the rate in remote areas is 4.1 times
that of the relatively developed coastal areas, said the
official.
(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2007)