Life expectancy is increasing worldwide

The improvements in our lives during the previous century resulted to a significant increase of the life expectancy.

The average life expectancy has doubled worldwide and it is expected to increase by a further 6 years until 2050, reaching 71 years when in 1915 it was just 35.

The most economically developed countries have the higher life expectancy. 83.3 years in Switzerland, 84.2 in Japan and 83.1 in Spain.

The Japanese are expected to live more than 84 years. Since 1963, that is since we have recorded data on life expectancy, there were 153 centenarians in Japan whereas approximately 70,000 Japanese centenarians were counted in 2018.

In the island of Okinawa in Southern Japan, people live longer than anywhere else in the world, with an average life expectancy of 89 years!!

The secret of their longevity may lie, to a great extent at least, in their diet which consists of low fat foods with almost no salt, mainly fish and vegetables.

The lowest life expectancy is found in African countries. The countries with the lowest average are Sierra Leone, Chad, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic and Lesotho.

Lesotho has the lowest average life expectancy at 52.5 years. However, in reality the average life expectancy in Africa has skyrocketed since 1925.

The reduction of child mortality as well as medical advancements on the terrific AIDS epidemic have greatly helped to increase life expectancy in the Dark Continent.

The huge average life expectancy gap between rich and poor countries has been reduced. During the previous century South Koreans did not live more than 23 years in average. A recent study conducted in the 35 richest countries of the world now ranks S. Korea in the 32nd, therefore a girl born in this country in 2030 may be able to celebrate her 90th birthday.

The S. Korean gross domestic product (GDP) has increased at least 20 times since 1960. This economic growth has improved a lot the Healthcare System offered to the people and it is expected that by 2030 S. Korea will surpass in ranking 15 richer countries!!

Therefore, we would say that the increased wealth in a country should be followed by access to a better Healthcare system for everyone, dramatically increasing world-wide life expectancy.

And not forgetting our own… It is worth mentioning that the “blue zones” of longevity, such as the Japanese regions mentioned above, also include our own island of Ikaria, with a high life expectancy especially among men.

Therefore, a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, social activity, good sleep and… our lives are ahead of us!