The lottery of birth can be unforigiving at times. None of us get to choose where in the world we come into being, but for those born on the list of countries below, life is hard from the moment they arrive. Simply and harshly put, death comes to these poor souls very early. People in these countries live, on average, nearly 50 years less than those living in countries with the highest life expectancy. Huge problems like HIV infections, high infant mortality rates, and societal violence impact young people and drive the life expectancy downward. The results are the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. Each entry includes total population, as well as both the male and female components.

• 1. Botswana  – 32.3
• 2. M0zamique – 33.7
• 3. Swaziland – 34.2
• 4. ZImbabwe – 35.3
• 5. Malawi - 35.6
• 6. Namibia –  36.1
• 7. Zambia – 37.4
• 8. Rwanda – 38
• 9. Central African Republic (the Congo) – 43.1
• 10. Ethiopia – 43.3

Would you like to live to a ripe old age? Pack your bags and move to one of these countries. In compiling life expectancy data, by far the most important factor is wealth; people with money tend to eat healthier, not smoke, and drink less. They also have access to the good health care. Adding to their longevity, these countries have lower rates of violent crime and civil unrest. The countries listed have the highest average life expectancies in the world as of 2009. Shown is the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in that country in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. In case you’re wondering, the United States of America ranked 50^th, Kuwait was the highest ranking Arab country coming in 53^rd, the longest life expectancy in South America was Chile in 56^th place, and the best ranked country on the African continent was Algeria finishing 92^nd.

• 1. Macau – 84.36
• 2. Andorra – 82.51
• 3. Japan – 82.12
• 4. Singapore – 81.98
• 5. San Marino – 81.97
• 6. Hong Kong – 81.86
• 7. Australia – 81.63
• 8. Canada – 81.23
• 9. France – 80. 98
• 10. Sweden – 80. 86