Why is the life expectancy in Spain so high?
Environmental factors -- such as high levels of sunshine and a pleasant climate in most regions -- plus the Mediterranean diet, an emphasis on physical activity, strong social relationships, and a robust public health system seem to lie behind the longevity of Spaniards.
Spain has 300 days of sunshine per year according to the World Health Organisation. Days of azure blue skies and warm sunshine. Sunshine and a comfortable temperature enables our body to run in an energy-efficient mode. The climate in Spain is generally mild compared to northern countries in Europe.
Spain provides universal access to healthcare, guaranteeing relocated workers and foreigners practically the same healthcare services as Spanish citizens. Spain is the second country in the world in life expectancy, according to the OECD. Contributing factors include the Mediterranean diet, and mild climate.
Central to the Spanish way of life is the Mediterranean diet, a culinary treasure celebrated globally. Rich in olive oil, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, this diet offers many health benefits, from improving heart health to mental well-being.
Which countries have the highest life expectancy? Monaco has the highest life expectancy in the world in 2023, according to World Population Review, where locals live to an average age of 87.
Spain is considered one of the healthiest and most favorable countries to live in due to its inherent sunny and warm climate and Mediterranean health cuisine as well as due to its effective healthcare system. These factors taken together make the country attractive for elderly people to spend their retirement here.
Its fabulous climate, vitamin-D inducing sunshine, plenty of green spaces coupled with a well-balanced diet and a laid-back and relaxed attitude make it the best place to live. Its residents outlive those of most other Spanish cities, on average reaching their mid-80s.
Spain Tops Italy as World's Healthiest Country While U.S. Falls: Report.
According to OECD data, the income per capita in Spain is 3.000 USD lower than the average OECD level (around € 28.800). Having a lower average salary, combined with an unemployment rate higher than the rest of Europe, makes it clearer why the current price levels are relatively low.
The most part of disposable income derives from wages, and therefore, the chronic high unemployment rate that affects the Spanish economy is one of the main reason behind its poverty issues, together with problems such as high rates of early school leaving, job insecurity, low salaries, or an inadequate social ...
What is the biggest health problem in Spain?
Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in Spain, accounting for 33.71% of total deaths. Within this group, ischaemic heart disease is the first cause in men (22,923 deaths). Cerebrovascular diseases are the main cause in women (21,927 deaths). In second position are tumours, which cause 25.9% of deaths.
1. Adult obesity rates in Spain are higher than the OECD average, but child rates are amongst the highest in the OECD. Two out of 3 men are overweight and 1 in 6 people are obese in Spain.
Healthiest Top 10
"The Japanese, in my opinion, are the healthiest population in the world," says Pasternak. "They have the longest lifespan in the world, the lowest incidence of obesity, heart disease and diabetes." What and how the Japanese eat, he says, explains why they are the healthiest people on earth.
ASIAN AMERICANS -- Highest Life Expectancy In The World. The United States ranks #40 in the world in life expectancy and our ethnic diversity works for us and against us in this regard.
The countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide include the Chad, Nigeria, and Lesotho. As of 2021, people born in Chad could be expected to live only up to 53 years.
The dainty mayfly, an insect found worldwide in clean freshwater habitats, lives for just one or two days, the shortest lifespan of any known animal. They don't even have mouths as they feed in the air.
The low population density (less than 30/km², or 78/mi²) is caused largely by the rural exodus and urbanisation of the 19th and 20th centuries. Some commentators prefer to speak of a "low-density diagonal" (diagonale des faibles densités) and regard the term "empty diagonal" as both pejorative and exaggerated.
Seafood and especially shellfish, meat, a wide range of cheeses, full-flavoured seasonings like paprika and saffron, and carefully selected wines round out the list of ingredients that are the essence of Spain's cuisine.
Spanish food is a showcase for the Mediterranean diet around the world. Healthy food, full of flavour and based on olive oil, vegetables, and seasonal ingredients. Here are a few suggestions for trying this cuisine, awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation.
Widely considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Okinawan diet has numerous health benefits. So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and second longest life expectancy of any developed country. The Okinawan diet is centred around fish, seafood, tofu, and other nutrient-rich ingredients.
Where does Spain rank in healthcare?
Spain ranked 21st overall in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, up from 22nd in 2021 and 24th in 2020. Notably, Spain ranked 17th for Quality, 13th for Choice, 20th for Science and Technology, and 23rd for Fiscal Sustainability.
Spain is highly valued in terms of "quality of life" (safe country, natural ecosystem, friendly people ...), which makes it an attractive country to travel and live. Its ranking is worse in terms of institutional quality, technology and innovation, economic environment or education.
The Cost of Living Comparison
According to Expatistan's cost of living calculator, it's 27% more expensive to live in the United States than it is to live in Spain.
US residents have a very high purchasing power, significantly higher than in Spain. Property prices to income in the US are almost twice as favorable. In terms of safety, health care and pollution index, the data of both countries is similar, being in a positive way.
From “All-American” to “Hola América”: The United States has now 52.6 million Spanish-speakers, surpassing Spain and becoming the country with the largest number of Spanish-speakers, second only to Mexico…
References
- https://internationalliving.com/countries/spain/health-care-in-spain/
- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/22/spaniards-sleep-time-zone-spain
- https://www.statista.com/topics/8486/poverty-in-spain/
- https://time.com/5536174/spain-healthiest-country/
- https://pacificcountyhealthdepartment.com/discover-why-spain-is-one-of-the-healthiest-countries-to-live-in
- https://www.quora.com/What-does-an-average-Spaniard-take-to-lunch-at-work-if-he-doesnt-eat-out-in-a-restaurant
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empty_diagonal
- https://rightcasa.com/how-much-medication-can-you-bring-with-you-when-you-travel-to-spain/
- https://www.investinspain.org/en/why-spain/quality-of-life
- https://www.caserexpatinsurance.com/blog-typical-non-spanish/pros-and-cons-of-spain-free-healthcare-for-maternity
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/18-best-places-retire-spain-181151029.html
- https://www.intrepidtravel.com/eu/spain/what-to-eat-in-spain
- https://www.skuad.io/blog/an-overview-of-countries-that-offer-free-healthcare
- https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/international-health-insurance/spain/
- https://spanishsabores.com/spain-dining-guide-when-are-spanish-mealtimes/
- https://www.expatica.com/es/healthcare/healthcare-basics/healthcare-in-spain-101467/
- https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/do-they-really-take-siestas-in-spain
- https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/organizacion/sns/docs/datos.pdf
- https://www.latmultilingual.com/blog/usa-more-spanish-than-spain/
- https://www.quora.com/Are-pancakes-eaten-in-Spain
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/long-term-care/paying-long-term-care
- https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/06/30/home-care-in-spain-for-expats/
- https://thespaintravelguru.com/can-you-drink-tap-water-in-spain/
- https://freopp.org/spain-21-in-the-2022-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation-12a943c4eb32
- https://www.immigrationspain.es/en/cost-of-living-in-spain/
- https://www.hdfcergo.com/health-insurance/wellness-corner/healthiest-cuisines-in-the-world
- https://n26.com/en-eu/blog/cost-of-living-in-spain
- https://www.oecd.org/fr/els/systemes-sante/obesityandtheeconomicsofpreventionfitnotfat-spainkeyfacts.htm
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/life-expectancy-countries-highest-lowest-list-b1067880.html
- https://blog.byjus.com/web-stories/10-animals-with-the-shortest-lifespan/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/spain-always-ranks-among-healthiest-countries-world-factor-3-events
- https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2019/02/13/inenglish/1550055336_780262.html
- https://visaguide.world/international-health-insurance/spain-expat-insurance/
- https://www.santander.com/en/press-room/insights/spains-reputation-in-the-world
- https://www.caserexpatinsurance.com/blog-typical-non-spanish/healthcare-in-spain-for-us-citizens
- https://alegria-realestate.com/en/articles/country-%D1%81omparison-usa-vs-spain-2022
- https://euroace.net/2018/06/26/a-day-of-eating-in-the-life-of-a-spaniard/
- https://gogoespana.com/en/blog/mealtimes-in-spain/
- https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-siesta
- https://smartasset.com/retirement/types-of-long-term-care-facilities
- https://theworld.org/stories/2014-02-21/mcdonalds-bows-spains-schedule-and-serves-breakfast-until-1pm
- https://www.clariane.com/en/our-locations/clariane-in-spain
- https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/spain/traditional-spanish-drinks
- https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/europe/spain.php
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1390107/spain-public-opinion-healthcare-problems/
- https://www.quora.com/What-do-Spanish-people-typically-eat-for-dinner-What-does-a-typical-Spanish-dinner-table-look-like-What-sort-of-dishes-are-very-typical-in-a-Spanish-household-Please-provide-also-some-pictures
- https://conversaspain.com/cost-of-living-madrid/
- https://www.ageinspain.org/post/seven-reasons-why-people-live-longer-in-spain
- https://www.william-russell.com/blog/worlds-healthiest-diets/
- https://www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/traditions/siesta/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_cuisine
- https://meddeas.com/discovering-spain/eating-spain/
- https://www.expatfocus.com/spain/guide/spain-elderly-care
- https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/facts-spain-food-drink/
- https://www.medical-air-service.com/medical-travel-guide/spain/getting-hospital-treatment-in-spain_7386.html
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain/Daily-life-and-social-customs
- https://housinganywhere.com/Spain/cost-of-living-in-spain-compared-to-the-world
- https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-popular-local-fruits-in-Spain
- https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/worlds-longest-living-people
- https://thespanishradish.com/spanish-radish-blog/spain-dining-guide-spanish-meal-times-and-traditions/
- https://wise.com/gb/blog/healthcare-system-in-spain
- https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/local-care/nursing-homes-costs/
- https://www.spain.info/en/top/healthy-food-spain/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/264719/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-lowest-life-expectancy/
- https://www.aplaceinthesun.com/articles/2023/07/cost-of-living-in-spain-2023
- https://www.exploreworldwide.com/blog/italy-vs-spain
- https://www.voanews.com/a/what-do-the-worlds-healthiest-people-eat--85058407/161756.html
- https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/holiday/life-style/2021/06/23/85817/salad-days-the-sun-blazes-lettuce-back.html
- https://thespanishradish.com/spanish-radish-blog/why-is-the-spanish-lifestyle-so-healthy-top-10-reasons/
- https://www.retireguide.com/long-term-care-insurance/costs/average-by-state/
