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15 Countries With the Highest Life Expectancy
Posted by Katrina Poggio

The secret to living a longer life may be based on what country you call home.

Research shows if you’re living in Canada, Australia, France or Switzerland, chances are you’re living years longer than people in the United States, Thailand, Mexico and even Costa Rica.

The World Economic Forum released data showing how long people in different countries typically live.

The report compiles 137 countries across the globe, with the United States ranking 37th on the list. You can browse the list here.

The country with the shortest life expectancy, at under 49 years old, is Swaziland, a small, landlocked country that’s home to more than 1.3 million people in southern Africa.

So, which countries have the longest life expectancy in the world? Keep reading to see which country has a life expectancy of longer than 84 years.

15. Israel

Known as the biblical Holy Land to Jews, Christians and Muslims, Israel is a Middle Eastern country bordering the Mediterranean Sea. More than 8.5 million people live in Israel, where the life expectancy is 82 years.

14. Norway

The land of mountains, glaciers and fjords is a natural paradise for those who love being active outdoors. Norway is known for fishing, hiking and skiing, along with a history of Vikings. This Scandinavian country is home to 5.2 million people.

13. Canada

With more than 36 million people living across the second largest country by landmass, Canada’s population is actually on the smaller side. Hockey, maple syrup and cold winters are part of the Canadian culture.

12. Korea

This country in East Asia was divided into two distinct sovereign states in 1945. North Korea and South Korea are still grouped together as “Korea” in this list. Little is known of North Korea, which has been one of the world’s most secret societies for years.

11. Luxembourg

This small European country could fit into the United States about 3,800 times. Nearly 583,000 people live on this rural land surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany. Despite the size, Luxembourg is known as Europe’s powerful investment management center.

10. Australia

The world’s largest island is known for outdoor living. Located southeast of Indonesia, Australia is best known for the Great Barrier Reef. More than 24 million people live in this country in Oceania.

9. Sweden

Another Scandinavian nation on the list, Sweden is known for thousands of coastal islands.Even the eastern capital, Stockholm, is built on 14 islands. The Swedish culture is known for being calm, soft and humble.

8. Singapore

This island off southern Malaysia is known for it’s 5.6 million inhabitants creating a mix of cultures. The diverse culture influences from Malaysia, China, Indonesia and India in this city-state is what makes Singapore so unique.  

7. France

Can the secret to a longer life be in France’s wine, cheese, art and fashion? It’s answer to their longevity is likely rooted in the French health care system, which all residents are entitled to.  Nearly 67 million people call this European country home. French people, on average, live to be 82 years old.

6. Iceland

Known for its drastic geography and unpredictable weather, Iceland makes No. 6 on the list of places with highest life expectancy. This Nordic island nation has volcanoes, geysers, lava field, hot springs. While the country is mostly rural land, only 335,000 actually live on the island.

5. Switzerland

Home to ski resorts, Swiss watches, IKEA and the Alps, Switzerland’s residents live to about 83 years old. According to a Forbes article, about 99.5 percent of Swiss citizens have health insurance. For comparison, about 12 percent of Americans are uninsured.

4. Spain

You know that exhaustion that hits you right after lunchtime? Well, the Spanish do too. That’s why they opt for a daily nap, called the siesta. More than 46.5 people call Spain home and they are known for enjoying food, music and bullfights.

3. Italy

The Italians have been embracing music, food, architecture and all things culture for years on this peninsula along the Mediterranean. More than 60.6 million people live in Italy, where healthcare is considered a right. Italy has actually ranked among the World Health Organization’s top countries for quality health services. You can read about the report here.

2. Japan

This island nation in the Pacific Ocean is home to skyscrapers, pop culture, bullet trains, imperial palaces, mountainous parks, and dense cities. Even with a massive population of 127 million people, this country in East Asia still ranks No. 2 on the list. The secret to their longevity is in their food. The Japanese diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish. Learn more about the healthy lifestyle in Japan in this article: 6 Longevity Lessons From Japan.

1. Hong Kong

The place in the world with the highest life expectancy at 84.3 years is Hong Kong, an autonomous territory in southeastern China. More than 7 million people live in this densely populated region, where Western and Eastern cultures collide. Even though the severe air pollution poses health risks, Hong Kong’s safety net is their government-operated hospitals.

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