Countries like Japan are well-known for their high life expectancy, but other nations are also showing promising improvements in this area. This could mean healthier and longer lives for expats who decide to move to these places.
A study conducted by health insurance experts at William Russell also offers glimpses into which countries might lead the way in longevity in the future. The research focused on the current life expectancy of 60 year olds and took into account healthy life expectancy.
Healthy life expectancy is the number of years a person can expect to live in good health, usually indicating the age when individuals start to suffer from serious illnesses or disabilities that affect their daily activities. In the UK, while the overall life expectancy is 82, the healthy life expectancy is just 61.
South Korea
Over the past five years, South Korea has seen the most significant increase in life expectancy, an impressive feat considering its already high global ranking. Currently, a typical 60 year old in South Korea is expected to live until 86, with health generally starting to deteriorate around the age of 79.
The researchers credit South Korea’s remarkable statistics to factors such as a healthy diet abundant in fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and poultry, coupled with a widely available, subsidised healthcare system.
Singapore
Often overlooked in conversations about long life, Singapore stands out with an enviable life expectancy of 86 and an even more staggering healthy life expectancy of 80. A leap in these statistics is owed to substantial public health policy improvements, which include the raising of taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
China
Also featuring on the list, and perhaps surprisingly so, is China, which has a life expectancy just shy of the UK’s at 78 years. But since 2011 when it was just 75, China has seen the globe’s third-highest rise in longevity over the past ten years. Its healthy life expectancy is also better than the UK’s at 68 years.
The experts said: “With this increase in longevity, China has shown that it is on course to catch up with other more developed countries where life expectancy has stagnated, or even fallen, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.”
Other nations
Countries celebrating marked growth in life expectancy include Norway, Malta, Australia, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. Health insurance data investigators pointed out several common traits among citizens from countries experiencing upward trends in life span.
The experts emphasised that these countries often had balanced diets, regular physical exercise, good healthcare setups, and community support, helping their citizens stay healthy for longer. The experts suggested: “If you’re considering moving abroad, adapting to local customs and making the most of the country’s health-promoting practices can enhance your well-being.”