7 Longest Living Populations And What They’re Doing Differently Than Americans
If you want to live longer you might want to model your lifestyle after other countries.
American life expectancy saw a dramatic decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while there has been a slight rebound, the general downward trend has continued since then. Heart disease and cancer are often named as the primary causes of death in the United States.
Access to healthcare, diet, and physical activity are big factors that affect our lifespan and play a big role in our well-being. While individual lifestyle and socio-economic factors play a big role, let’s look at the countries with the longest-living people, and see what they do differently.
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small Central American country known for its eco-tourism, biodiversity, and easy-going Pura Vida lifestyle. Its Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most well-known “Blue Zones,” which are homes to the oldest living and healthiest people on the planet.
You might see a pattern if you travel to Costa Rica. Many people indulge in outdoor activities like surfing, beach-going, and hiking, especially in the country’s rainforests. Costa Ricans have a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce, and are blessed with a warm, tropical climate year-round, which makes it easy to spend time outside.
2. Japan
In many countries with long-living populations, an extended life expectancy means a nutrient-rich diet and a low obesity rate. Japan has an average life expectancy of 84 years old and one of the lowest obesity rates in the world, less than 4 percent.
Japanese cuisine is fresh fruits and vegetables, seaweed, and seafood-heavy. Japan incorporates a lot of rice and soy in its diet like other Asian nations. The Japanese eat their food in small portions and usually have a small bowl of soup before every meal.
The country also emphasizes a healthy lifestyle and daily exercise routine.
Okinawa, a chain of islands in the country’s southernmost corner, is home to the longest-living women in the world. The prefecture is known for its Moais, social groups that offer emotional support to its members during difficult times. The “Moai” was coined in Okinawa and means “meeting for a common purpose.”
3. Switzerland
The average life expectancy in Switzerland is 83 years old. Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. Close to 100 percent of the country’s residents have health insurance.
The country often ranks high on the list of the happiest countries in the world and is home to two of the world’s most livable cities, Zurich and Geneva. Both cities rank on the infrastructure and technology score, high-quality public schools, and a good sense of safety.
The Swiss have a good life-work balance with very few people working overtime. Most cities in the country have good walkability, so you can get around on foot and achieve your daily exercise goals without going to the gym.
4. Spain
Spain’s long life expectancy can be attributed to the Mediterranean lifestyle and mild climate, with the average person living up to 83 years old.
The country has 300 days of sunshine and a relatively low cost of living, which helps to alleviate the financial stress often associated with the rising cost of necessities like housing, groceries, and daily expenses.
The country also consumes a lot of seafood, with the most popular dishes being paella, bacalao a la vizcaina made from cod fish, and almejas al pil pil.
Spain is also known for its relaxed lifestyle, with daily siestas when people take breaks from work and participate in social gatherings and local events where you spend time with friends and meet new people. The country’s unrushed approach and strong social culture contribute to the population’s life expectancy.
5. South Korea
South Korean people are said to have acquired a strong immunity from their healthy diet, free from pesticides and chemicals, which can often be found in Western foods. The country’s life expectancy is 83 years old, growing steadily over the last couple years.
While the country’s population is aging fast, it also has a low rate of chronic diseases and heart diseases. This statistic is attributed to the South Korean diet, which is focused on vegetables and fermented foods.
The Korean diet includes a lot of raw and uncooked ingredients and is also heavy on seafood, rice, and kimchi, a common staple of Korean cuisine.
6. Australia
The current life expectancy in Australia is 84 years, a slight increase from 2023. Australia has the longest-living population of all English-speaking countries and offers plenty of lessons for America to help increase life expectancy.
According to studies, Australian women live nearly four years longer than American women and Australian men live five years longer than their American counterparts.
The country has implemented many policies that contribute to a higher standard of living for its population, including access to public transportation and social services and greater access to healthcare.
Australians have a strong sense of community, and unlike the United States, it has a low level of gun deaths and lower levels of alcohol consumption and drug overdose, which translates into a lower mortality rate, especially for younger people.
7. Singapore
Singapore’s life expectancy is over 84 years, and it has been climbing continuously over the last decade. The city-state, in Southeast Asia has a universal healthcare system and access to health screenings and tests, which help to prevent serious health issues.
Singapore was also recently designated the newest blue zone, because of the rising life expectancy which is the direct result of the country’s policies and high standard of living, which includes good education, cultural and social scene.
The country has also done a great job at making healthy foods accessible to its residents and implementing draconian rules in the world on drugs and guns, which offers a stark contrast with the rise of opioid deaths in the United States.
It also made the city walkable and bikeable, promoting a healthier lifestyle among its residents.
Unlike other Blue Zones, on the list which have to do with natural circumstances, Singapore’s Blue Zone status is man-made and can be directly attributed to its government policies and regulations, which helped to create one of the longest-living societies on the planet.
