Average life expectancy in Beijing rises to 83.93 years

The average life expectancy of Beijing residents has risen to 83.93 years in 2024, up from 82.51 a year earlier, according to data released by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission on Monday.

Key maternal and infant health indicators have also reached internationally advanced levels, with a maternal mortality rate of 0.69 per 100,000 and an infant mortality rate of 1.35 per 1,000, the Beijing News reported.

Wang Jianhui, deputy director of the commission, said the improvements reflect the city's efforts to expand high-quality healthcare resources and strengthen primary medical services.

In recent years, Beijing has directed more medical resources to underserved areas. The number of hospital beds per 1,000 residents in new urban districts has increased to 5.09, up 14.6 percent since 2021.

The capital has established 62 comprehensive medical alliances and 122 specialized medical consortia to promote tiered diagnosis and treatment. All secondary and higher-level general hospitals now have pediatric departments, while community health centers provide full coverage of children's medical services.

Additionally, 162 medical institutions have opened psychological clinics, and 94 offer sleep disorder treatments.

Beijing has also prioritized the development of critical care capabilities, boasting 12 national medical centers and 23 national clinical research centers, accounting for nearly half of the country's total.

Efforts to improve primary healthcare include upgrading over 900 community health centers and establishing 763 specialized clinics. Traditional Chinese medicine services are now available in all community health centers.

Wang said Beijing will continue to improve community healthcare capacity under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), aiming to ensure residents can access high-quality, convenient medical services close to home.