Even though civilization and societies, for the most part, have evolved, it seems that humans have not evolved so physically throughout history. They are still the same creatures, but with more tools and information available compared to 500 years ago. And these tools and information that explain why, even if the physical characteristic remains the same, the global average life expectancy is currently around 71 years old, less than half just centuries ago. And now, genetic experiments present the possibility that humans could possibly live more than 500 years! Keeping track of global life expectancy is part of the learning curve, the process that could lead to surviving previous generations for years and even decades. The World Health Organization recently released the latest life expectancy statistics for men and women around the world in 2014. And in this selection are the 10 countries where people live the longest. As women live longer than men, the 10 countries are selected for their female life expectancy to highlight the societies in which they live the longest. And naturally, healthy lifestyles and health care, along with many other factors, contribute to the long lives of citizens in these 10 countries. Source: sunglasseswill.com
10. PORTUGAL – 84 YEARS OLD
According to WHO, the Portuguese National Health Service’s tripartite system in Portugal specializes in insurance for certain professions and voluntary private insurance areas among the top 15 in the world. Since the 1980s, the country’s infant mortality rate has dropped from 24 to just 3 per 1,000 newborns, and statistically each year the population can expect to live a little longer.
9. LUXEMBOURG – 84.1 YEARS
This country’s stringent standards for state-funded health make Luxembourg one of the most inclusive systems in the world. Health taxes come equally from citizens ‘salaries and employers’ income, and they cover every citizen, regardless of age or status. The result is an impressive 98% system coverage rate that covers all students up to 27 years old. For those who can afford it, supplemental insurance may be strictly requested from the nonprofit subsidiary health agencies of the social system; an adequate private sector does not exist.
8. SOUTH KOREA – 84.6 YEARS
South Korea’s healthcare system is among the lowest waiting and most expensive in the world. The key is the single payment system, it means that all health services are charged to one entity, the government. The system makes administrative costs significantly lower compared to Europe and North America. Ultimately, citizens pay far less for the tighter and faster overall coverage, and therefore the highest life expectancy in the world.
7. AUSTRALIA – 84.6 YEARS
Australian life expectancy ranks seventh for women at 84.6 years and third for men at 80.5 years. And the country spends at least 10 percent of GDP on health care, while the United States spends somewhere around 18 percent. Medicare public funding has been a great success since its inception in 1984; and coexists with a specialized private system.
6. FRANCE – 84.9 YEARS
France spends more on health than the rest of Europe, and is apparently particularly useful for older French citizens. The present culture is generally agreed to pay more and receive more when it comes to health. The government sets income-related premium levels and usually manages to reimburse patients for 70% of most healthcare costs, and 100% for high-cost or long-term illness.
5. ITALY – 85 YEARS OLD
Italy’s national health system, already hailed as the second best in the world behind France, has also been praised for offering low-cost treatment to all citizens. Italy maintains one of the highest life expectancies for men and women, currently set at 80.2 years and 85 years, respectively.
4. SINGAPORE – 85.1 YEARS
Success is in the single social policy, to begin with, the government sets all insurance policies and their prices. They also offer high health benefits for low-income citizens, health retirement plans, and compulsory housing savings programs that provide strong social support to keep services affordable and performance driven.
3. SWITZERLAND – 85.1 YEARS
Switzerland’s health care system mixes the public, private and wholly private subsidized healthcare companies, along with the strict guidelines of the Federal Health Insurance Act. To understand the operation, all insurers must, by law, provide everyone with basic coverage, regardless of age or medical condition, without profit. Then supplementary plans or extended coverage leave the market freely. Remember, we’re talking about one of the richest countries per capita in the world .
2. SPAIN – 85.1 YEARS
The Mediterranean diet is relevant here, as food is a major part of Spain’s culture. Spaniards spend more per person on food than any other nation while worrying much less about Western nutrition standards such as calorie intake and low-fat substitutes. The Spanish culture supported by a strong universal health system seems to be one of the most conducive to a healthy and long life, being this country the second position in this selection.
1. JAPAN – 87 YEARS
Japanese Misao Okawa was widowed at 83 years old, and at 116 is the oldest person in the world, according to Guinness World Records. And her secret is to eat, sleep and relax. On the one hand, the country runs a much more depersonalized health system compared to the West, with no family doctors and little emphasis on medical ethics. On the other hand, they have a universal system that makes use of world class high technology. But the real difference is undeniably cultural: studies indicate that Japanese life and food provide citizens with fewer heart attacks, with very low rates of heart disease in the country.
