PORTLAND, USA, April 7 (IPS) – As stated small village“You know this is normal; everything that lives must die, passing through nature into eternity.” Although death is inevitable for all living beings, the human mortality rate, which is expected to reach approximately 64 million individual deaths worldwide in 2026, is not evenly distributed across the population.
While mortality is a common fate for all human beings, the timing, causes, and circumstances of death vary greatly in different countries. This discrepancy occurs frequently a gap In mortality rates between privileged and marginalized groups.
Disparities in human mortality rates are stark around the world. Premature death is particularly prevalent in low-income areas due to limited access to healthcare, poverty, and conflict. This results in a world where some individuals die young while others enjoy long lives.
From the first year of life, significant differences in the probability of death become apparent between human populations. Countries such as Iceland, Japan and Finland have the lowest infant mortality rates, with less than 2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, rates are highest in countries such as Niger, Somalia and Nigeria, where there are more than 62 infant deaths per 1,000 births, 30 times higher than the lowest rates (Figure 1).
The disparity in infant mortality is also evident in maternal mortality. some of the highest maternal in 2023 mortality rate Sub-Saharan African countries such as South Sudan, Chad and Nigeria have more than 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. In contrast, countries such as Norway, Poland and Iceland have maternal mortality rates of less than 3 per 100,000 births.
Similarly, life expectancies at birth in 2025 reveal significant disparities in mortality rates. The lowest life expectancy at birth, about 55 years, is seen in sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria, Chad and South Sudan. In contrast, life expectancy at birth in countries such as Japan, South Korea and Switzerland is relatively high, about 30 years higher at around 85 years (Figure 2).
The disparity in mortality rates persists when comparing life expectancies at age 65. In 2025, life expectancy at age 65 is about 12 years in Nigeria, Chad and Togo, while it is about 23 years in Japan, France and Australia.
Variation in mortality rates exists not only between countries but also within countries. For example, in 2022, life expectancy In the United States, age at birth varies from a high of about 80 years in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Jersey to a low of about 73 years in Kentucky, Mississippi, and West Virginia (Figure 3).
Disparities in life expectancy at birth exist between major ethnic groups in the United States. In 2021, life expectancies There was considerable variation in age at birth among these groups, approximately 84 years for Asians, 78 years for Latinos, 77 years for whites, 72 years for blacks, and 64 years for Native Indians.
Additionally, differences in life expectancy at birth also exist based on income and education. In general, individuals from working-class backgrounds and with lower levels of education can expect to live a shorter life span than wealthier and more educated individuals.
For example, in the United States, working-class individuals can expect to die least 7 years Before their wealthier counterparts. Higher education is also associated with higher income, improved lifestyle, increased access to health care, etc. long life span.
In addition to deaths caused by illness, disease, accidents, violence, conflict, and war, voluntary human deaths are becoming a significant global issue.
Medically assisted death, also known as euthanasia dignityVoluntary assisted death, or medical assistance in dying (MAID), is a subject of debate in many countries. This practice may include assisted suicide, where the person takes lethal medication themselves, or euthanasia, where a doctor administers the medication.
While MAID is not legal in most countries, it is allowed growing number of countries in certain circumstances. Definitions and eligibility for medically assisted dying vary between countries and states or provinces within countries.
Although the scope of laws varies from place to place, jurisdictions that allow medically assisted dying generally allow mentally competent, terminally ill, or suffering adults to end their lives with medical assistance. To qualify for voluntary assisted death, individuals must meet certain criteria, including having an incurable or incurable disease, often with a short-term prognosis, having sound judgment, voluntarily deciding to end their life, repeatedly expressing a wish to die, and self-administration of a lethal dose.
About twenty countries, and various states or provinces within countries, allow medically assisted death. These locations include Austria, parts of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and parts of the United States. in number of other countriesLegislators, including France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Great Britain, are considering bills on laws or regulations on medically assisted death.
Of those who choose to take lethal doses of the drug, some major concerns Many of them include loss of autonomy, control, bodily functions and dignity; reducing severe pain and intense emotional distress; inability to engage in pleasurable or meaningful life activities; Decreased quality of life; Fear of becoming a burden on family and caregivers; worry over future suffering; and avoiding the financial implications of treatment.
Additionally, some most common Medical conditions leading to euthanasia requests include end-stage cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, chronic pain and advanced cardiac disorders.
Opponents of medically assisted death offer several arguments against it. He believes this creates the potential for abuse; leads to a slippery slope toward involuntary euthanasia; normalizes death as a solution; and undermines medical ethics and the sanctity of life.
They also argue that assisted suicide poses risks to vulnerable populations by influencing societal attitudes and policies toward older adults, the seriously ill, and the disabled. They believe this could put pressure on those who are considered a social burden, jeopardizing funding and the provision of palliative care. Additionally, there are concerns about ensuring that individuals’ decisions to end their lives are truly voluntary.
In short, disparities in human mortality exist across and within nations, spanning various social and economic dimensions. While death is a natural part of life, the distribution of human mortality is uneven, with some individuals passing away at a young age while others enjoy long lives.
Unequal distribution of resources often creates mortality differences between privileged and marginalized groups. Premature death is particularly prevalent in low-income areas, primarily due to factors such as limited access to healthcare, poverty and conflict. Additionally, the controversial issue of voluntary human death, also known as medically assisted death, is gaining global attention. There are strong arguments both for and against this policy, with about twenty countries allowing it under specific circumstances.
Joseph Chami is a consultant demographer, former Director of the United Nations Population Division, and author of numerous publications on population issues.
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