What Are The Healthiest Countries In The World?

by Asim Tamha Last updated on 16 july 2022

 
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We all know it’s important to eat our five a day, get our daily dose of exercise, and make time to relax and support our mental health. But some countries seem to be leaps and bounds ahead of others when it comes to keeping in tip-top condition. So what’s their secret?

In this article, we take a peek at the leaderboard for the healthiest countries around the globe, to find out which population is coming out on top – and, more importantly, discover what they’re doing right.

Walking has been proven to help with longevity more than vigorous exercise

Methodology

We’ve compiled a list of the world’s healthiest countries based on life expectancy. 

Using data from the OECD, we were able to see which populations are living the longest on average. Some of our data also focuses on Blue Zone regions, which are areas around the world with the most centenarians (people that live to be over 100 years old).

Once we collated the data, we looked closely at each country to see whether there were any factors that might have influenced these results, including culture, diet, exercise, and healthcare.

The healthiest countries in the world

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Rank	Country	Average life expectancy (years)
1	Japan	84.7
2	Korea	83.3
3	Norway	83.3
4	Switzerland	83.2
5	Iceland	83.1
6	Australia	83.0
7	Ireland	82.8
8	Israel	82.8
9	Sweden	82.5
10	Italy	82.4

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1. Japan

Life expectancy: 84.7

The most obvious reason why the Japanese population has such a long life expectancy is down to the country’s traditional diet, which typically consists of rice, fish, vegetables, seaweed, Japanese pickles, green tea, and miso (a kind of fermented soybean product). Unlike a lot of Western diets, this diet has a very low intake of red meat, which has been linked to health issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Japanese culture also takes mental wellbeing into consideration. The Slow Movement, which emerged in Japan in the late 90s, encourages people to stay connected with others, as well as with nature. The movement acknowledges the richness of rural life and communities.

The islands at the southern end of Japan have historically been known for longevity. Okinawans typically have less cancer, heart disease, and dementia than Americans – and women there live longer than any women on the planet.

The Blue Zone suggests that Japan’s greatest secret is a strong dedication to friends and family. Okinawans maintain a powerful social network called a ‘moai’ – a lifelong circle of friends that supports people well into old age.

Japanese people reap the rewards of their luscious gardens, which are said to have healing benefits

2. Korea

Life expectancy: 83.3

The traditional Korean diet is heavy in fruits and vegetables, and far less punishing to the body than a Western one. Kimchi – a staple Korean dish – is based on fermented vegetables, which is high in probiotics, high in vitamins A and B, and low in sugar.

Koreans also know how to wind down at the end of a long day. The jjimjilbang is the Koreans’ version of a sauna, where visitors can ease their muscles in hot tubs, showers, and kiln saunas, and relax in a large resting area with heated floors. This tradition is said to release stress and help with mental wellbeing. 

Other factors driving rising life expectancies here include improved nutritional education, advances in economic and social status, and a high-quality healthcare system.

3. Norway

Life expectancy: 83.3

Norway’s impressive average life expectancy is a result of the active Norwegian lifestyle, a diet that’s full of Omega−3 fatty acids, and a robust healthcare system that’s funded by the public. 

While these are all important for a healthy lifestyle, Norway’s infrastructure plays a pivotal part in the population’s lifespan. The country takes pride in great educational opportunities, a low unemployment rate (the lowest in Scandinavia with 4.1%), and total transparency when it comes to taxation – which keeps companies accountable and forces them to offer fair salaries.

While money can't buy happiness, it is an important means of achieving higher living standards. In Norway, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is £27,767 a year – higher than the OECD average of £26,118 a year. 

4. Switzerland

Life expectancy: 83.2

Unlike Japan, diet isn’t the key reason why the Swiss benefit from a long and prosperous life. In fact, their main traditional foods – sausage, chocolate, cheese, and bread – are far from healthy.

Keeping active is key for good health in Switzerland – and the mountains act as a playground for the locals (think hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter). But this active population also knows how to take downtime when they need it – indeed, only around 7% of Swiss people say they work very long hours. 

Aside from these factors, the Swiss pride themselves on embracing a tight-knit community. It's estimated that 96% of people in Switzerland say they have at least one person they could rely on in a time of need. So, perhaps being healthy isn’t totally dependent on your actions alone. 

5. Iceland 

Life expectancy: 83.1

Once again, diet plays a major role in raising the average lifespan in Iceland. Icelanders consume a lot of fish – a key source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to a longer life. The population also typically tends to indulge in an athletic lifestyle, which improves the cardiovascular system. 

Living standards and life expectancy also go hand in hand. Since Iceland’s population is so small (364,134 people, which is only slightly more than the city of Coventry), its residents can enjoy excellent medical care, a great education system, and good incomes. 

Some experts have also suggested that genetics are the key reason why Icelanders live such long and fruitful lives. Kari Stefansson, the founder of DeCode Genetics, collected the genetic information of one third of Iceland’s population. They compared the genes of those aged 90 or older, to see if they were more related to each other than other control groups.

“And indeed they are much more related to each other,” Stefansson said, in an interview with NBC News. “We established that the ability to reach 90 years of age was basically genetic.”

6. Australia

Life expectancy: 83.0

Put simply, Australians are able to enjoy the perks of financial stability, which is also boosted by their wholesome diets, sporty tendencies, and laid-back attitudes. 

A Global Burden of Disease research group expert, Laureate Professor Alan Lopez, points out that the main difference between the likes of Australia and the US is equal access to health services. 

Professor of Global Health at Monash University Jane Fisher said Australia has one of the best health systems in the world. “We have Medicare which does provide everyone with access to primary health care, and also to hospital-based services, especially for emergencies and care for acute illnesses,” Professor Fisher told The New Daily.

A family sit around the table together, tucking into their healthy dinner

7. Ireland

Life expectancy: 82.8

Since 2007, life expectancy in Ireland has increased by almost two and a half years, with men ranking consistently higher than the EU average throughout the last decade, and female life expectancy surpassing the EU average in 2017.

Experts have clarified that the reason behind their longevity is certainly not to do with the modern-day Irish diet, which tends to be very high in cereals, dairy, red meat, and convenience foods (miscellaneous savoury and sweet dishes). However, there are many other factors that are helping the Irish live longer. 

Aside from the slow pace of life and top-quality air, one of the main reasons behind people living so long in Ireland is the excellent healthcare services on hand. The standard of healthcare in Ireland is reflected in the system’s satisfaction ratings – with 90% reporting they’re satisfied with outpatient care and 85% for inpatient treatments. 

As a result, mortality rates are down across the board – deaths from strokes have reduced by 39%, and breast cancer deaths are down 16%. On top of this, mental health in Ireland has improved massively over the past few years, leading to a 38% reduction in the mortality rate from suicide since 2009.

8. Israel

Life expectancy: 82.8

For some, these findings may come as a surprise, since Israel has had to endure a 70-year history of war and perpetual conflict. Despite this, the chance of dying from heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes at ages 30-70 is among the lowest in the world here.

The main secret to Israel’s longevity is – yep, you guessed it – the Mediterranean diet, but low alcohol consumption also helps keep Israelis in tip-top shape. Similar to some of the other countries on our list, the close family structure in Israel is an important reason why the population generally has a longer lifespan – this way, people can comfortably receive help and support if they’re suffering.  

The most important factor affecting longevity in Israel is the efficient Israeli healthcare system.

Israel guarantees healthcare to all citizens as a fundamental right, with a national health insurance law passed in 1995 providing universal coverage. 

It has also been argued that compulsory army service may have a positive influence on public health. One of the characteristics of military service is physical training and, in Israel, there is a relatively low mortality rate from diseases that are influenced by physical exercises, such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.

9. Sweden

Life expectancy: 82.5

Scandinavian countries are renowned for their healthy lifestyles, and Sweden takes it to the next level. 

There are tons of reasons why Swedes are some of the healthiest people in the world, but the Scandinavian diet is one of the most influential. Here, people consume a lot of fatty fish, rye bread, and root vegetables, which have all been shown to offer excellent health benefits. 

Aside from food, Sweden’s lifestyle and culture also boost national health. From an early age, Swedes are encouraged to join a sports club – a habit that continues on well into retirement. The sauna is also a key part of life in Sweden, which comes with lots of different benefits, including flushing toxins out of your body, helping sleep, and improving cardiovascular performance.

As well as all of this, Sweden has a top-quality health system, which all nationals are entitled to, and work-life balance is integrated into most workplaces.

10. Italy

Life expectancy: 82.4

Italy is another country that benefits from the Mediterranean diet, but this is only one of the reasons why Italians are living longer than people in other countries. 

There is something to be said for the Italian pace of life – not having to rush around allows time for leisure, family, frequent walks, and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the sunshine. Italy is actually home to one of the few Blue Zones around the world, situated in Sardinia. So what are Sardinians doing right?

Well, first and foremost, Sardinians’ strong family values make sure that every member of the family is cared for. On top of this, studies have found that Sardinians take regular walks, rather than doing vigorous exercise, which adds more time onto their life. 

And whilst excessive alcohol is bad for the body, drinking moderate amounts of Cannonau wine has also been said to improve one’s lifespan. This type of wine has two or three times the level of artery-cleaning flavonoids as other wines. Bottoms up!

Two workers in a vineyard at sunset, making the elixir of life – wine!