Women's life expectancy tops 86 years against men's 78. A low birth rate and better medical care pushed up Hong Kongers' average age. Japanese women lose top spot with life expectancy now over 85 years.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Hong Kong women can expect to live longer than anyone else in the world. According to figures from last year's census, the average life expectancy for a Hong Kong woman rose to 86.7 years, up from 84.6 a decade ago. The previous record holders, Japanese women, lose the top spot with an average life expectancy of "only" 85.9.

In Hong Kong, the new record is likely to reignite the debate about the city's ageing population and low birth rate. Experts warn that the growing number of elderly people will place additional strain on health services.

Japan's health ministry produced figures showing that the average life expectancy for a woman was down because of last year's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, along with a rise in the youth suicide rate.

With a low birth rate and better medical treatment, the median age of Hong Kong's population has increased by five years in the last decade.

Still, Hong Kong women are likely to spend their last years as widows since men have a life expectancy of 78.4 years.

The median monthly salary of women has also changed. It was HK,000 (US$ 1.400) last year, roughly 85 per cent of the HK,000 (US$ 1.675) earned by men. In 2006, women earned a median HK,300 a month compared to HK,500 for men.

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