This list of countries with the highest life expectancy is based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Health Report 2019, which ranks countries according to their average lifespan.
The list includes four factors: mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), per capita calorie availability and obesity rates, and access to health services. The countries included in this ranking have a population of at least 50 million people.
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The 8 countries with the highest life expectancy
The following are the countries with the highest life expectancy according the the WHO rankings and the four factors mentioned above:
7. Israel: 82.2 years
Israel is the ninth country with the highest life expectancy. The average Israeli woman can expect to live 82.2 years, and men 79 years – both of which are among the top 10 in the world.
Life expectancy in Israel is higher than in most countries because of its low infant mortality rate and high level of healthcare services available to its citizens.
6. Australia: 82.3 years
If you desire to live a long and happy life, then Australia is the place for you. The average Australian male can expect to live until he is 82.3 years old, and the average Australian female can expect to live until she is 85.5 years old.
The country’s healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world. There is universal access to primary care physicians and hospitals funded by taxes rather than private insurance companies or out-of-pocket payments from patients.
5. France: 82.4 years
France has one of the highest life expectancies in Western Europe, at 82.4 years for men and 85.4 years for women.
The country has however a growing problem with obesity, but it is still less prevalent than in other countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. The French diet is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish, all healthy foods that help promote longevity.
4. Singapore: 82.6 years
Singapore is one of the best countries to live in if you want to live a long and healthy life. The average life expectancy in Singapore is 82.6 years. It has one of the highest life expectancy in the world.
In addition to having one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world at 0.7 per 1,000 births, Singapore also has one of the lowest rates of cardiovascular diseases and cancer deaths worldwide.
The country’s universal healthcare system is accessible to all citizens through compulsory savings plans that cover most medical expenses.
3. Italy: 82.7 years
Italy is a country in Southern Europe. It has a population of about 60 million people, and its capital city is Rome.
Italy is the world’s 8th largest economy and it has one of the highest life expectancy of all European countries. The country is home to many centenaries, who were 17.177 in 2021.
2. Japan: 83.6 years
Japan is a country in East Asia. Its population of 127 million people makes it the world’s tenth most populous country. The capital city is Tokyo, which is also one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with over 30 million residents.
Japan has one of the highest life expectancies at 83 years old, according to the World Bank (2017).
1. Hong Kong: 84 years
Hong Kong is the country with the highest life expectancy. The average person in Hong Kong can expect to live 84 years old.
In addition, Hong Kong has low rates of infant mortality and homicide and ranks among the lowest countries in terms of cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. Hong Kong’s public health system is highly developed, yet is also one of the most expensive in the world.
Read also: Exploring the Global Peace Index: the most peaceful countries worldwide
