Starting off our list of countries with the highest life expectancies are Finland and Belgium, both sharing the 25th spot. The two highly-affluent European countries hint at a common trend throughout the data: citizens of wealthier countries tend to live longer. Though money doesn’t buy happiness (well, that’s not entirely true but we’ll leave that for another list), money can buy higher quality food, cleaner environments, and better healthcare.
공동24. 포르투갈 과 과들루프(Guadeloupe) ? 80.54
Coming in at 80.54 years, citizens of Portugal and Guadeloupe (a French overseas territory in the Caribbean Sea) are the only other areas to share a spot on our list. Guadeloupe’s relaxed, island lifestyle contributes to a laid-back style of living, helpful in keeping stress levels low and life expectancy high. Portugal, despite not being as wealthy as other European Union members, has the 12th best public health system in the world and its people enjoy living with a strong gusto for life and family.
[참고 : 과들루프 지도(화살표)]
23. 아일랜드 ? 80.57
Ireland’s high life expectancy may be a bit more than the luck of the Irish. Though alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver affects thousands of Irish people every year, it’s possible that the positive attitudes most residents of the Emerald Isle have produces a beneficial effect on long life.
22. 그리스 ? 80.6
Just as confusing as the Irish, the Greeks live hearty lives ? up to 80.6 years old ? despite having the largest percentage of adult daily smokers of any OECD country. Maybe it’s all the olive oil, feta cheese, and beach life.
21. 독일 ? 80.65
The “land of poets and thinkers”, Germany is increasingly known as having the widest belts in Europe. Though Germany has the highest number of overweight people in the European Union, it also has the world’s oldest universal health care system, dating back to Otto von Bismarck in the 1880’s. Even as early as the thirteenth century, Germany had high-quality healthcare centers called spitals which predate modern-day hospitals.
20. 오스트리아 ? 81.09
Austrians live magnificently long lives, coming in at number twenty with an average life expectancy of 81.09 years. The Alpine air, nominal per capita GDP of $52,216, and many opportunities for social and cultural activities play a strong role in Austrians’ longevity.
19. 칠레 ? 81.19
The only South American country on our list ? and one of only three in the Western Hemisphere ? Chile has an average life expectancy of 81.19 years. And it’s no surprise why. Among Latin America, Chile is the leader in human development, income per capita, and state of peace. It goes to show that peace and economic stability ? two things most of our ancestors a century or two ago didn’t have as they constantly struggled to survive ? play critical roles in health and longevity.
18. 마르티니크(Martinique) ? 81.2
Another overseas region of France in the Caribbean, Martinique has a higher standard of living than most Caribbean countries. Largely financed by French aid, the country has been increasingly becoming a hotspot for tourists. It’s rumored taking a vacation to the island will boost your own life expectancy, if nothing else than for having your feet in crystal blue waters.
[* 마르티니크는 상기 지도에서 과들루프 아래에 위치하고 있음]
17. 네덜란드 ? 81.31
The Netherlands’ healthcare system has consistently been rated the best in Europe, but that’s not all keeping its citizens living into their 80’s. The Dutch are also the most charitable country in the world (per capita). Charitable giving boosts happiness and life satisfaction which in turn increase life expectancy.
16. 노르웨이 ? 81.32
Most Norwegians enjoy living into their ninth decade of life. Health researchers have noted ? beyond the citizens’ affluence and healthy diets ? that Norwegians’ emphasis on “marka” (nature nearby to every city) and spending time in said nature increases their lifespans.
15. 룩셈부르크 ? 81.33
Citizens of one of the tiniest states in Europe enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Luxembourg is the highest seller of alcohol in Europe per capita, though these numbers are skewed by the large amounts of foreigners crossing the border to buy alcohol. Health-wise, one in five Luxembourgers are licensed members of at least one sports federation and maintain better health than much of Europe.
14. 대한민국 ? 81.43
One of four Asian countries in the top fifteen, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) follows an Asian trend in putting greater emphasis on health than much of the Western World. Despite Koreans’ generally long lives, they face a major and increasing problem from environmental pollution and urbanization with almost half of the 51 million Koreans livings in the Seoul metropolitan area.
