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Hong Kong's health indices compare favourably with those of most developed
countries. The infant mortality rate, one of the most important indicators
of health, has been declining over the past two decades and reached as
low as 2.3 per thousand live births in 2003. The maternal mortality ratio
has remained low for the past two decades. In 2003, there were only two
cases of maternal death reported, giving a maternal mortality ratio of
4.2 per hundred thousand live births. Longevity has also improved significantly
for Hong Kong people over the years. On average, a baby boy born in 2003
could expect to live 78.6 years and a baby girl 84.3 years. Life expectancy
at birth is projected to reach 82 for men and 88 for women in 2031. |
