European Nations Where People Live The Longest

According to a report published by the World Bank in 2015, countries in Europe have a higher life expectancy compared to the other continents of the world. However, European nations with the highest life expectancies are found on the western half of the continent. The statistics were derived from the life expectancies of females and males at birth. The following is an overview of the life expectancies of ten European countries where people tend to live longer.

1. France

France is the second most populated nation in the European Union after Germany, and its rate of natural population growth is relatively high compared to other countries in the region. France has a universal health care system which is largely financed by the government through the national health insurance. The French healthcare system is one of the best in the world, and the country has one of the lowest rates of cardiovascular and coronary disease. In 2015, the average life expectancy of the French was 83 years; 86 years for females and 80 years for males.

2. Iceland

Iceland has a life expectancy of 83 years, with females expected to live for 85 years and males 81 years. The Nordic island country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, and its people are among the healthiest worldwide. Iceland’s healthcare system is universal, and it is governed by the Ministry of Welfare. There are no private hospitals in the country, and the government carries out many campaigns to promote the health and well-being of its citizens.

3. Italy

The rate of adult obesity in Italy is below 10%, one of the lowest in Western nations. Italy has the 6^th highest life expectancy in the world. In 2015, life expectancy in the country was 81 years for males and 86 years for females, bringing the average to 83.5 years. The leading causes of death in Italy according to the World Health Organization are coronary heart diseases, stroke, lung cancers, and breast cancers.

4. Spain

Spain’s total life expectancy in 2015 was 83 years. Males born in Spain are estimated to live for an average of 81 years and females for 86 years. The top four causes of death in Spain according to a report published by WHO in 2015 include coronary heart diseases, stroke, lung cancers, and dementia. The country has the seventh best health care system in the world.

5. Sweden

The Kingdom of Sweden has a total life expectancy of 82.5 years, 85 years for females and 81 years for males. It is ranked tenth according to World Life Expectancy. Sweden also ranks high in safe drinking water, and it is among the top five world countries with the lowest infant mortality rates. In Sweden, people mostly die of coronary heart ailments, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and prostate cancer. Besides chronic diseases, suicide also features in the list of top ten causations of death in the nation.

6. Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation also has a total life expectancy of 83 years at birth according to the World Bank’s findings in 2015. Infant mortality rate in the country, based on the report, is about 0.004%. These statistics mean that for every 1000 live births in Switzerland, only four children die before they are one year old. The nation was ranked first in 2012 regarding world life expectancy. Switzerland’s citizens spend more on healthcare compared to other European countries, since the country’s healthcare system dictates that they purchase insurance from private companies. However, patients are satisfied with the quality of care they receive.

7. Austria

Austria has a life expectancy of 84 years for women, 80 years for men, and a total life expectancy of 82 years. The World Health Organization ranked it 18^th globally regarding life expectancies in 2015. The rate of death of young children below one year of age in Austria is roughly 0.003%. Austrians mostly die of heart diseases, stroke, cancer of the lungs, hypertension, and breast cancer. The country has a high quality of life ranking, high Human Development Index, and more than 90% of Austrians are satisfied with the quality of their drinking water.

8. Greece

Icaria, an island in Greece, has the world’s highest population of 90-year-olds. Around 33% of Icarians make it to 90 years and beyond. Greek males have a life expectancy of 79 years while females live for an average of 84 years. The country’s total life expectancy is 82 years. Out of every 1000 live births in the nation, the rate of death in infants is about 3.6. Greece had a 98.5% rate of perceived good health in 2008, the highest in the OECD. The Mediterranean diet, which is characteristic of the Greek cuisine, is one of the reasons for good health among the people of Greece.

9. Ireland

The World Health Organization ranked Ireland 19^th worldwide regarding life expectancy in 2015. The life expectancy of Irish men is 80 years and for women it is 84 years, making the total 82 years. Ireland has an infant mortality rate of 0.003%. Ireland’s healthcare system comprises both private and public sectors. All residents are entitled to get health care services from the public healthcare providers in the country, and based on some factors such as illness, age, and income they may pay a subsidized fee. The Irish government, however, provides free maternity services and child care for infants below six months.

10. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein also has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe and the world. The longevity of men born in the country is about 81 years, and for women it is 83 years. Liechtenstein has an infant mortality rate of 4.64 for every 1000 live births. The quality of life among the residents of the nation is high, and its human development index of 0.912 is 15^th highest worldwide. In 2010, the per capita income of Liechtenstein was $143,151, the second highest around the world. The country’s health care system is universal, and residents have access to free regular medical check-ups with general practitioners.