People who live in tropics more likely to die seven years earlier The "State of the Tropics" study, run by 13 institutions across 12 countries, reported that people living in the world's tropical zones in 2010 had an average life expectancy of 64.4 years. This was 7.7 years less than those living in non-tropical areas, according to the broad-ranging research project, which was initiated by Australia's James Cook University (JCU). Overall mortality in the region was affected by disease, conflict, poverty and food insecurity, the study said. Investment in social services, such as health and education, as well as access to water, sanitation and medical technology, were also important factors. According to the report, Central and Southern Africa had the worst adult mortality rates, with 377 in every 1,000 people who live to 15 years old dying before they reach 60. That compares with an average of 240 in every 1,000 across the tropics and 154 in every 1,000 for the rest of the world. The study estimates that all continents except Europe and Antarctica are partly in the tropics and 144 nations or territories are either "fully or partly in the tropical region." The report found that life expectancy in the tropics has increased in the past 60 years, with people living 22.8 years longer than in 1950. Infant mortality in the tropics also decreased from 161 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1950 to 58 per 1,000 in 2010, though this is still much higher than the 33 per 1,000 rate in the rest of the world.