In the year 2000 the combined life expectancy for men and women here was 76 years but this had climbed to 80 years by 2007. In contrast, life expectancy only improved by one year -- from 75 to 76 -- between 1990 and 2000.

More recent figures from our own Central Statistics Office are even more heartening and show that an Irish woman can expect to live to 81.6 years compared with 76.8 years for men.

The WHO report, however, shows we are still lagging in the global life expectancy league.

A boy born in San Marino, a tiny republic surrounded by Italy, is likely to live to age 80, the world's longest male life expectancy.

Females in Japan, who traditionally lead the world tables, have a life expectancy of 86 years.

Men in the United States have a 75-year life expectancy and women there could make it to 80 years.

The WHO report said the life expectancy figures were based on 2005, the latest year available.

Men can expect to live to 79 in Australia, Iceland, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland. It is 78 years for men in Canada, Israel, Italy, Monaco and Singapore.

French men tied for 12th place, at 77 years, with a group of countries including New Zealand and Britain.

Women in Monaco can expect to live to 85 years while it is 84 years for women in Andorra, Australia, France, Italy, San Marino, Spain and Switzerland.

Females in Britain can live to 81 years while in the United States it is 80 years.

Ireland retains its position as best place for a mother's survival. Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate is 2,000 per 100,000 live births. In contrast the rate here is four deaths per 100,000 births, followed by Spain, Italy, Finland, Canada and Austria at five deaths.

The report does not examine why some nations live longer than others although it did note that those which fare worst also have the lowest spend on health.

In most developed countries, life expectancy has been increasing steadily since the middle of the 20th century. This is mainly due to the near eradication of infectious disease, better living standards, improved diet and more advanced treatments.

But the downside of prosperity is the rise in obesity and people who are overweight, which some experts believe are in danger of slowing down or in some cases reversing progress in life expectancy.