Nations where citizens reside the longest: Discover the ranking of the U.S. among these 25 countries.
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You might not be too stoked if you're American about the latest global life expectancy rankings, according to Visual Capitalist. Seems like the world's average life expectancy in 2024 was a respectable 73, but back in 2000 it was a mere 66. Thankfully, life expectancy's been on the rise over the years, and some countries have it way better than others.
People living in the principality of Monaco have the longest lifespans, with the average Joe expected to hit 84.6 and the average Jane going even longer at 88.6, giving Monaco an overall life expectancy of 86.5. Next in line are San Marino and Hong Kong, with respective averages of 85.8 and 85.6. Unfortunately, the good ol' U.S.A. didn't even make the top 25 in this life expectancy marathon.
As per the North American Community Hub Statistics, the good ol' red, white, and blue country is rocking an average life expectancy of 79.25.
Here are the Top 25 countries with the longest life expectancies:
- Monaco: 86.5 years
- San Marino: 85.8 years
- Hong Kong: 85.6 years
- Japan: 84.8 years
- South Korea: 84.4 years
- Andorra: 84.2 years
- Switzerland: 84.1 years
- Australia: 84.1 years
- Italy: 83.9 years
- Singapore: 83.9 years
- Spain: 83.8 years
- Liechtenstein: 83.8 years
- Malta: 83.5 years
- France: 83.5 years
- Norway: 83.5 years
- Sweden: 83.4 years
- Vatican City: 83.1 years
- UAE: 83.1 years
- Iceland: 83.0 years
- Israel: 82.7 years
- Canada: 82.7 years
- Ireland: 82.6 years
- Portugal: 82.5 years
- Qatar: 82.5 years
- Luxembourg: 82.4 years
16 out of these 25 countries are in Europe, with Canada being the only North American country to make the cut.
The study highlighted that life expectancy is deeply intertwined with a country's overall quality of life and well-being. Most countries in the top 25 have high per-capita healthcare spending, providing access to advanced medical care and preventive services.
Look closer, and you'll spot that women tend to live longer than men in these top 25 countries, with a typical four-year difference. This disparity stems from both biological and behavioral factors. For instance, newborn boys have a higher mortality rate than girls, and women are less likely to engage in risky behaviors compared to men.
NYC recently claimed the crown as the Happiest City in the U.S., according to a new study, but it still falls short in the global life expectancy race. Factors like healthcare access, lifestyle, and socioeconomic disparities in the U.S. contribute to this difference compared to countries like Monaco, San Marino, and Hong Kong.
In some top 25 countries with the longest life expectancies, such as Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland, science and health-and-wellness are evidently prioritized, with high per-capita healthcare spending providing access to advanced medical care and preventive services. Despite NYC being the happiest city in the U.S., a fever for health-and-wellness initiatives in the same vein as countries like Monaco, San Marino, and Hong Kong could potentially contribute to improved health outcomes and longer life expectancies in America.
