Across the world people can expect to live longer than ever before, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation.

Not only will we all be around for longer but more sustained good health is likely too.

In its 1998 global health report, the WHO puts the spread of healthier and longer lives down to the world's economy which has been on the up for the last four years.

This comes after a slump lasting 20 years.

These benefits are becoming apparent now and they are not limited to the industrialised world.

Poorer countries too are said to be enjoying the benefits of economic growth. The world's food supply is said to have more than doubled in the past 40 years, outstripping population growth.

Throughout the world, gross domestic product more than doubled in real terms while adult literacy rates increased by more than 50% since 1970.

Topping the world league for longevity are Iceland, Italy, Japan and Sweden - all countries where life expectancy at birth will be 82 years by 2025.

Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Holland, Singapore, Spain and Switzerland have a projected life expectancy of 81 years in 27 years time. Both the UK and US are in the 80 years bracket.

However, all is not well. There are notable exceptions to these trends.

Despite the steady defeat of infectious diseases such as polio and leprosy and spectacular advances in the development of vaccines and medicines, the future was bleak in some regions especially Africa.

The WHO's Director General Dr Hiroshi Nakajima said: "The prime concern of the international community must be the plight of those most likely to be left furthest behind.

"These are the many hundreds of millions of men, women and children still trapped in the past by the grimmest poverty."