Money Supply and the Money Multiplier. Money, either in the form of currency or as bank reserves, is a liability of the central bank. The central bank controls the monetary base, expanding or contracting it at will, according to the needs of the economy.
Whole life is also more expensive because of the costs of storing and investing your premium money. Unlike term, the money that you put into your whole life policy can be borrowed from the policy if you need it. Term policies only collect enough to cover the cost of your insurance, and have no cash value.
The exceptions are some absolutely cheap locales such as Ecuador, India, Thailand (outside Bangkok), and the Philippines (outside Manila). In these places, your cost of living is artificially low because, frankly, there isn't much for you to spend your money on. This is not to say that, in these places, you couldn't enjoy a comfortable, interesting, exotic, even fun, exciting, and adventure-filled life.