Top 10 Countries with Highest Life Expectancy
Overview
Curious about the key to a long and healthy life? While genetics contribute, daily habits, nutritious diets, quality healthcare, and strong social bonds play significant roles. There are countries who consistently top life expectancy charts, thanks to balanced lifestyles and preventive healthcare. In Japan, practices like “hara hachi bu” (eating until 80% full) and “ikigai” (a sense of purpose) promote longevity.
Similarly, Mediterranean countries benefit from diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Moreover, clean environments and active daily routines further enhance well-being. Let’s dive into the top 10 countries with highest life expectancy with Academic Block and uncover the habits that keep their citizens thriving longer.
Top 10 countries with the Highest Life Expectancy
According to the latest data of Worldometer and Database.earth, the top 10 countries with highest life expectancy are. (1) Monaco (2) Hong Kong, (3) Japan, (4) South Korea, (5) French Polynesia, (6) Switzerland, (7) Australia (8) Italy, (9) Singapore, and (10) Spain. These nations exemplify the positive impact of advanced healthcare systems, healthy lifestyles, and robust public health policies on longevity.
Notably, countries like South Korea and Hong Kong continue to see significant gains in life expectancy, attributed to factors such as economic prosperity and strict public health laws, including anti-smoking regulations. Here is a table of the countries with best life expectancy in the world:
List of Countries with Highest Life Expectancy in the World
Key Factors Contributing to Countries with High Life Expectancy
Here are key factors contributing to the top 10 countries with high life expectancy:
-
Healthy Diets : Traditional diets rich in vegetables, fish, and whole grains, like the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, support heart health and longevity. In 2025, countries such as Hong Kong and Japan lead global life expectancy rankings. In Hong Kong, women live up to 88 years and men up to 83 years on average. In Japan, women live up to 88 years and men up to 82 years on average. These figures highlight the significant impact of nutrition on lifespan.
Top 10 Countries with Highest Life Expectancy by Gender
-
Regular Physical Activity : Daily movement, such as walking or cycling, helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces disease risk.
-
Universal Healthcare Access : Countries with accessible healthcare systems ensure early detection and treatment of illnesses.
-
Strong Social Connections : Close-knit communities and family ties provide emotional support, reducing stress and promoting mental well-being.
-
Clean Environments : Low pollution levels and access to green spaces contribute to better respiratory health and encourage outdoor activities.
-
High Education Levels : Education enhances health literacy, leading to informed lifestyle choices and better health outcomes.
-
Economic Stability : Higher income levels and reduced poverty correlate with improved access to healthcare and nutritious food.
-
Mental Health Awareness : Emphasis on mental well-being and stress reduction practices contribute to overall health.
-
Public Health Policies : Government initiatives, like smoking bans and health education, play a role in disease prevention.
-
Sense of Purpose : Having a meaningful life purpose is linked to lower mortality rates and increased life satisfaction.
How has Life Expectancy evolved globally over recent decades?
Global life expectancy has risen overall, but recent years have seen notable setbacks. From 2020 to 2025, life expectancy increased from 72.8 years to 73.5 years, but this growth was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the life threatening pandemic that caused a temporary global decline in life expectancy, reversing nearly a decade of progress in some regions due to widespread health system disruptions and increased mortality.
According to the data of Macro Trends, below is the comparison line graph and table from 2020 to 2025:
Difference Between Life Expectancy and Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE)
Understanding the distinction between Life Expectancy and Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) is crucial for evaluating population health. While both metrics assess longevity, they differ in scope and implications.
In summary, while Life Expectancy offers insight into the average lifespan, HALE provides a more comprehensive view by considering the quality of those years. This distinction is vital for policymakers aiming to enhance not just the length but also the quality of life within populations.
Projected Life Expectancy of Countries with the Longest Life Span (2025–2050)
As global health standards improve, life expectancy is projected to rise significantly by 2050. Countries like Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea are expected to lead this trend, reflecting advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle. These projections underscore the importance of sustained public health efforts and socioeconomic development.
Top Countries and their Projected Life Expectancy
Web Resources on Countries with Highest Life Expectancy
1. Worldometers: Life Expectancy of the World Population
2. Statista: Top Ten Countries with Highest Life Expectancy
3. Database.earth: Life Expectancy by Country in 2050
4. Macrotrends.Net: World Life Expectancy 1950-2025
Final Words
Recent studies reveal a global slowdown in life expectancy gains. Nevertheless, the top 10 Countries with highest life expectancy continue to lead, thanks to robust healthcare systems and healthy lifestyles. These nations exemplify how strategic investments in public health can sustain longevity, even as global trends plateau.
Moreover, nations like Japan, Germany, and Italy face rapidly aging populations, highlighting urgent need for innovative comprehensive elderly care policies. Looking ahead, projections suggest that global life expectancy will rise by nearly five years by 2050. We value your feedback! Please leave a comment to help us enhance our content. Thank you for reading!
Questions and Answers related to the countries with highest life expectancy
According the latest data, the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy are: Monaco (87 years), Hong Kong (85.7), Japan (85.0), South Korea (84.5), French Polynesia (84.3), Switzerland (84.2), Australia (84.1), Italy (84.0), Singapore (83.9), and Spain (83.5). These nations benefit from advanced healthcare systems, healthy diets, and high living standards.
In 2025, the countries with the lowest life expectancy are Chad (53.68 years), Nigeria (53.87), and Lesotho (54.91). These nations face challenges such as limited healthcare access, high disease prevalence, and socio-economic instability, contributing to shorter lifespans.
According to the CEO World Magazine, the United States ranks 42nd globally in life expectancy, with an average of 78.81 years. Despite high healthcare spending, factors like obesity, opioid abuse, and healthcare disparities contribute to its lower ranking compared to other developed nations.
Asian countries like Japan and Singapore boast higher life expectancies due to factors such as balanced diets, active lifestyles, and strong community ties. In contrast, the U.S. faces challenges like higher obesity rates, healthcare inequalities, and lifestyle-related diseases, impacting overall longevity.
Chad has the lowest life expectancy in 2025, at approximately 53.68 years. Contributing factors include limited healthcare infrastructure, high disease burden, and socio-economic challenges that impede access to essential services.
Monaco holds the highest life expectancy in recent years, at 87.0 years. This is attributed to its robust healthcare system, high standard of living, and emphasis on preventive care and healthy lifestyles among its residents.
As of 2025, the global average life expectancy at birth is approximately 73.51 years. This figure reflects advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation worldwide. However, disparities persist between high-income and low-income countries, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address global health inequalities.
Monaco boasts the highest average life expectancy globally in 2025, with residents living up to 87 years. This longevity is attributed to the country’s exceptional healthcare system, high standard of living, and emphasis on preventive care. The Mediterranean lifestyle, characterized by a balanced diet and active living, further contributes to the well-being of its citizens.
In 2025, the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy are: 1) Monaco (87.0 years), 2) Hong Kong (85.7), 3) Japan (85.0), 4) South Korea (84.5), 5) French Polynesia (84.3), 6) Switzerland (84.2), 7) Australia (84.1), 8) Italy (84.0), 9) Singapore (83.9), and 10) Spain (83.5). These nations benefit from advanced healthcare systems, healthy diets, and high living standards.
As of 2025, the United States has a life expectancy of approximately 78.81 years, ranking lower than many other developed nations. Factors such as higher rates of chronic diseases, healthcare disparities, and lifestyle choices contribute to this gap. In contrast, countries with universal healthcare systems and healthier lifestyles tend to have higher life expectancies.
In 2025, the five countries with the longest life expectancies are: 1) Monaco (87.0 years), 2) Hong Kong (85.7), 3) Japan (85.0), 4) South Korea (84.5), and 5) French Polynesia (84.3). Conversely, the five countries with the shortest life expectancies are: 1) Nigeria (54.78 years), 2) Chad (53.68), 3) Lesotho (54.91), 4) Central African Republic (54.5), and 5) South Sudan (55.6). These disparities highlight global health inequalities.
Countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Australia have higher life expectancies than the United States. Contributing factors include universal healthcare systems, healthier diets, lower obesity rates, and stronger social support networks. In contrast, the U.S. faces challenges such as healthcare disparities, higher rates of chronic diseases, and lifestyle-related health issues, leading to a comparatively lower life expectancy.