SINGAPOREANS are living longer, with life expectancy continuing to increase.

A boy born here in 2006 could expect to live an average of 78 years, compared to a life expectancy of 76.6 years for a boy born in 2003 - an improvement of 1.4 years.

Singaporean women could expect to live longer than the men.

A girl born in 2006 is expected to live on average 82.8 years, up 1.2 years from the average of 81.6 years for a girl born in 2003.

The longer life expectancies are borne out in the latest figures released on Tuesday by the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) in an information paper on 'Complete Life Tables for Singapore's resident population' from 2003 to 2006.

Life expectancies for older people have also improved.

In 2006, Singapore men aged 65 could expect to live another 17 years on average, compared to 16 more years in 2003, while Singapore women in the same age group in 2006 could live 21 years more, against 20 years in 2003.

DOS said Singapore's life expectancy compares well with selected developed countries.

It is lower than life expectancy in Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan but higher than South Korea's and United Kingdom's.

The latest life expectancy figures are derived from a new series of "complete life tables" compiled by DOS.

"The derived life expectancy figures give an indication of the average longevity of the population, but do not necessarily reflect the longevity of an individual," said the department in a statement.

Details on the methodology and highlights of key data trends can be obtained from the Statistics Singapore website.