Vietnam's Male Life Expectancy Ranks Among Top in Southeast Asia

According to 2024 data, the average life expectancy for Vietnamese men has reached 72.3 years, ranking high among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This outcome is seen as a result of the combined effects of improvements in Vietnam's healthcare infrastructure, investments in public health, and increased health awareness among the population. Over the past few decades, Vietnam has expanded access to healthcare services alongside its economic growth, striving to reduce infant mortality rates and strengthen measures against infectious diseases. Under its one-party system, the government continues to prioritize investment in the healthcare sector as part of its social welfare policies, which is considered one of the contributing factors to the increase in average life expectancy. Furthermore, improvements in living standards accompanying economic growth may also lead to better nutritional status and a shift towards healthier lifestyle habits. However, disparities in access to and quality of healthcare services between urban and rural areas, or across different income brackets, may still exist, indicating areas for future focus.