One of the most relevant indicators of a nation's health and well-being is life expectancy. It represents the average number of years a person is expected to live, based on age-specific mortality rates. In 2023, a number of noteworthy trends in global life expectancy have been identified.
Dacă ne referim la țări, un top 10 al țărilor cu cea mai lungă speranță de viață la nivelul anului 2023 arată astfel:
- Hong Kong – 85.83 years. The steady growth in recent years in this area is due to improvements in health and quality of life.
- Macau – 85.51 years. Macau's high life expectancy is attributed to factors such as its clean environment and air, excellent education, easy access to health care and strong economy.
- Japan - 84.95 years. A diet rich in fish and vegetables, as well as a high-quality health system, contributes to the longevity of the population.
- Switzerland - 84.38 years. Studies point to some possible secrets to Switzerland's high life expectancy, including active lifestyles, a sense of well-being and satisfaction, and a diet consisting of many dairy products, including cheese and dark chocolate. Switzerland also spends a higher percentage of its GDP on healthcare than any other country in the European Union, and its people have a strong cultural appreciation for preventive medicine and healthy aging.
- Singapore - 84.27 years. Life expectancy is largely due to an efficient health system and high levels of public hygiene.
- Italy - 84.20 years. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and olive oil, is often attributed as a key factor in the longevity of the Italian population.
- South Korea - 84.14 years. South Korea, with a life expectancy of 84.14 years, may have the fastest growing population in the world. In 1960, the average life expectancy in South Korea was about 52 years. However, a better understanding of nutrition, improved food distribution and better access to health and social care have allowed the country to make huge strides in longevity. In fact, many experts expect South Koreans to enjoy the world's longest life expectancy by 2030.
- Spain - 84.05 years. The Mediterranean diet and an active lifestyle are thought to contribute to the longevity of the Spanish population.
- Malta - 83.85 years. Access to health care and a Mediterranean climate are factors contributing to the longevity of Malta's population.
- Australia - 83.73 years. A high-quality healthcare system and an active lifestyle are key factors in the longevity of the Australian population.
These countries have managed to significantly improve the life expectancy of their populations through investments in public health, nutrition and medical science. In addition, the governments of these countries have played a crucial role in improving life expectancy, especially for the elderly, who are most at risk of health problems.
It is crucial to acknowledge that these figures represent averages and may fluctuate contingent on a multitude of variables, including gender, lifestyle, accessibility to healthcare, and other socio-economic factors. Nevertheless, these countries serve as a model for other nations seeking to foster environments conducive to longevity and good health.
In Romania, the average life expectancy in 2023 was 76.50 years, representing an increase from previous years but remaining below the global average. It is encouraging to note that there is a growing interest in the factors that contribute to longevity in Romania.
A research project initiated by the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, entitled "Blue zones of longevity in Romania", aims at documenting the socio-demographics of localities with a high percentage of seniors over 90 years old. This project aims to produce a longevity map for the whole country and to identify the longevity factors of Romanian seniors in these areas.
By understanding these factors, it is hoped that public health and prevention policies can be developed to further improve life expectancy in Romania, so that perhaps in the next few years we will approach the top figures.
