Martial arts researchers are often criticized for their lack of thorough explanations regarding the historical cause-and-effect relationships that led to the development of the various traditions and techniques within Chinese warrior arts. In order to gain a better understanding of the martial arts traditions we practice today, I have compiled a brief overview of life expectancy throughout the ages, which provides significant insight into their development.
Life expectancy in China has varied significantly over its long history, from the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) to the present day. Here’s a general overview of life expectancy trends in China across different historical periods:
1. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE)
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Life Expectancy: Estimated to be around 18–20 years.
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Reason: High infant mortality, limited medical knowledge, harsh living conditions, and frequent conflicts.
2. Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE)
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Life Expectancy: Slightly higher than the Shang Dynasty, possibly 20–25 years.
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Reason: Agricultural advancements improved food supply, but life expectancy remained low due to disease and warfare.
3. Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BCE–220 CE)
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Life Expectancy: Around 22–30 years.
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Reason: Centralized governance and infrastructure (e.g., roads, irrigation) improved living conditions, but epidemics and famines kept life expectancy low.
4. Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
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Life Expectancy: Approximately 27–35 years.
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Reason: A golden age of Chinese civilization with advancements in medicine, agriculture, and trade. However, life expectancy was still limited by disease and periodic unrest.
5. Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)
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Life Expectancy: Around 30–40 years.
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Reason: Economic prosperity, urbanization, and medical advancements (e.g., herbal medicine) contributed to longer lives, but epidemics and wars still took a toll.
6. Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368–1912 CE)
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Life Expectancy: Approximately 35–40 years.
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Reason: Stable governance and agricultural productivity improved living standards, but famines, wars (e.g., the Taiping Rebellion), and diseases like smallpox kept life expectancy relatively low.
7. Early 20th Century (1912–1949)
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Life Expectancy: Around 35–40 years.
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Reason: Political instability, wars (e.g., the Chinese Civil War and Sino-Japanese War), and poor healthcare infrastructure limited life expectancy.
8. Mid-20th Century (1950–1970)
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Life Expectancy: Increased to 50–60 years.
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Reason: The establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 brought improvements in public health, disease control (e.g., smallpox eradication), and food security.
9. Late 20th Century (1980–2000)
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Life Expectancy: Rose to 65–70 years.
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Reason: Economic reforms, better healthcare, and improved living standards contributed to longer lives.
10. 21st Century (2000–Present)
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Life Expectancy: Approximately 77–78 years (as of 2023).
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Reason: Rapid economic growth, advanced medical technology, and widespread access to healthcare have significantly increased life expectancy.
Key Factors Influencing Life Expectancy Over Time
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Healthcare: Advances in medicine and public health initiatives.
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Nutrition: Improvements in agricultural productivity and food distribution.
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Stability: Periods of peace and effective governance.
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Disease Control: Eradication of diseases like smallpox and better management of epidemics.
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Economic Development: Increased wealth and living standards.
