New Delhi, May 8 -- Expectation of life at birth for India has dropped for the first time in 50 years, registering a decrease of 0.2 years in a year.

Life expectancy at birth has been estimated at 69.8 years between 2017 and 2021, compared to 2016-2020. For rural and urban areas, life expectancy has declined by 0.1 years and 0.3 years respectively for the same time period.

According to the Sample Registration System-based Abridged Life Tables 2017-21, "On an average, female life expectancy at birth is more than male life expectancy at birth by more than two years. Even at age 70 years, this difference is favourable towards females by about one year."

Life expectation at birth was registered highest in Delhi at 73 years for males and K...