Significant progress has been made in many African countries during the past 40 years in income, education and health, but war and HIV/AIDS have shortened life spans in some countries, according to a U.N. study and reported by The New York Times. In particular, life expectancy decreased in part to HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. Overall, developed nations ranked the highest in the U.N. study.

To read the Times article, click here.