The health of nations is shaped by many interrelated factors, from the quality of the healthcare system to lifestyle and diet.
Although challenging to measure, a common measure of the overall health of a population is life expectancy. Other important indicators include child mortality rates and access to food and hygiene products. The following is a graphical representation of the healthiest countries among the world's major economies.
Singapore came in first place. The country was recently identified as a “blue zone,” where the population of centenarians is 10 times higher per capita than in America. Government initiatives to encourage walking through vehicle and fuel taxes, along with tax breaks for those living near their parents or children, are likely contributing to the country’s increased longevity.
In second place is Japan, with one of the longest life expectancies in the world. More than half of women born there in 2023 are expected to live to be 90.
Third is Switzerland, where economic stability, low obesity rates, and the highest average life expectancy in Europe have a major impact. In 2023, the average life expectancy for women was 85.8 years, while for men it was 82.2 years. The country also has the best access to healthcare among rich countries.
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