In 1960, the average Korean could look forward to around 51 years of life. By 2009, life expectancy for the average Korean had risen to 80.3 years - a 57% increase to a level that is today above the OECD average of 79.3. As with many OECD countries, life expectancy gains for people aged 65 in Korea have been similarly substantial, with Korea outpacing every OECD country (for which data are available) in gains that have been achieved for this age group since 2000.