DHAKA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- People in Bangladesh live longer now compared to decades back and the increase in life expectancy is more in the case of women than men, according to a government study published Wednesday.

The average life expectancy of Bangladesh people rose to 72.3 years in 2018, as compared to 72 years in 2017, said the report on "Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2018."

According to the report, the country's total population in January this year reached 165.57 million, including 82.87 million males and 82.70 million females.

The average life expectancy of Bangladesh people increased by around 25 years since the country's independence in 1971.