RESUMO
Life expectancy at birth and longevity are important indices and represent social, economical, cultural and hygienic status of every society. This index can be used in evaluating any planning. WHO uses this index along with indexes of annual income, per capita income and literacy rate of women to estimate human development index which is one of the most important indices in estimation of todays communities. Estimation of the above index in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad province and comparing it with nearby provinces or countries could show future horizon of this province compared to other regions. These data are essential for evaluating the implemented programs, knowing the position of province and future planning. Having the population size and the dead number in different age groups in each year, life expectancy was estimated.Collected and registerd data with an acceptable precision for rural regions were used for estimation of life expectancy in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad province and it's townships. Life expectancy for men in rural area of the province was 70.8 years and the highest rate belonged to Kohgiloye and Boyer Ahmad townships, with 72.4 years and the lowest rate belonged to Gachsaran with 69.2 years. Also life expectancy of women in the rural areas of the province was estimated to be 73.8 years and the highest rate belonged to Gachsaran with 75.5 years and the lowest rate belonged to Boyer Ahmad township with 72.9 years. Comparing the results of this study with previous estimates of the region and latest estimates of the life expantacy in the country, a slight increase in life expectancy of the province was noted. This decrease has been more in female than male. Also difference in life expectancy in urban and rural areas is about seven years which calls for immediate attention to the rural regions of the province