Top 10 Countries Where People Live the Longest

Healthy lifestyles, advanced healthcare, and well-balanced living conditions play a vital role in determining a country’s average life expectancy. Globally, people are now living longer than before, and recent data further supports this trend. Life expectancy is calculated based on the age-specific mortality rate of a country’s population.

Researchers have identified three other key factors that impact life expectancy: genetics, gender, and lifestyle. Lifestyle includes cleanliness, diet, exercise, occupation, habits like smoking, access to healthcare, and even crime rates. Differences in these factors across nations account for variations in life expectancy.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 countries and territories with the highest life expectancy in 2024, and the reasons behind it:

1. Monaco

• Average life expectancy: 86.5 years
  • Men: 84.17 years
  • Women: 88.6 years
• Key factors: Mediterranean diet (rich in seafood, fruits, and vegetables), excellent healthcare, and financial stability. Citizens have easy access to quality medical services and live healthier lives.

2. San Marino

• Average life expectancy: 85.4 years
  • Men: 84.17 years
  • Women: 88.6 years
• Key factors: High income, strong healthcare system using modern technology, low crime rates, and good social services. Socioeconomic status is closely tied to access to quality healthcare and healthy living.

3. Hong Kong (China)

• Average life expectancy: approx. 85.6 years
  • Men: 83 years
  • Women: 88.3 years
• Key factors: Rapid post-WWII development, top-tier education, low child mortality rates, and world-class healthcare. Consistent economic growth has supported higher living standards and longevity.

4. Japan

• Average life expectancy: 84.9 years
  • Men: 81.8 years
  • Women: 87.9 years
• Key factors: Healthy diet (rich in fish, fruits, vegetables, and grains), government investment in public health (including universal healthcare and strong immunization programs), cleanliness, and physical activity among elderly citizens.

5. South Korea

• Average life expectancy: 84.4 years
  • Men: 81.3 years
  • Women: 87.3 years
• Key factors: Tremendous improvement since 1960 (when life expectancy was ~52 years), better nutrition, universal access to healthcare, and widespread health awareness. Mental well-being and exercise are also prioritized.

6. Saint Barthélemy (France)

• Average life expectancy: 84.4 years
  • Men: 81.6 years
  • Women: 86.9 years
• Key factors: Technological development, access to high-quality healthcare, and overall high living standards contribute to the population’s long life.

7. French Polynesia

• Average life expectancy: 84.2 years
  • Men: 81.9 years
  • Women: 86.6 years
• Key factors: Although considered a French territory, it operates with local governance. High life expectancy is linked to healthcare access, local governance stability, and healthy island lifestyles.

8. Andorra

• Average life expectancy: 84.2 years
  • Men: 82.3 years
  • Women: 86.2 years
• Key factors: High standard of living, access to healthcare for all, safety, and a clean, natural environment (mountainous terrain encourages physical activity).

9. Switzerland

• Average life expectancy: 84.1 years
  • Men: 82.2 years
  • Women: 86 years
• Key factors: Active lifestyle, high satisfaction with life, mental well-being, consumption of dairy (especially cheese) and dark chocolate. Switzerland also spends a large share of its GDP on healthcare and emphasizes preventive medicine.

10. Australia

• Average life expectancy: 84.1 years
  • Men: 82.3 years
  • Women: 85.5 years
• Key factors: Advanced healthcare, access to clean water, healthy diet, active living, and government investment in preventive healthcare. Australia allocates a significant portion of its GDP to health.

These countries showcase how a combination of factors—including strong public health systems, healthy diets, socio-economic stability, and preventive healthcare—can help people live longer, healthier lives. While genetics and gender play a role, lifestyle and government policy are equally impactful in determining longevity.