Oslo:The average life expectancy of Norwegians grew by 0.2 of a year from 2004 to 2005, according to new figures from Statistics Norway.

Norwegian men can now expect to reach the age of 77.7 years, while women have nearly an extra five years to look forward to, with their average life span now 82.5 years.

Over the last 20 years the Norwegian life expectancy has increased by nearly five years for men and nearly three for women. The difference between men and women was only smaller than it is now during the 1950s.

Since the 1990s more women have died in Norway than men due to an increasing majority of women in the age group with the highest mortality rate.

The increased life span is due both to sinking infant mortality, now at its lowest level ever, and reduced mortality for the elderly.

Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, with 85.6 years for women and 78.6 for men.