Spain has set a new record for life expectancy in Europe, according to data provided by the European Union’s statistical office. The country maintains an average age of 84, topping this statistic since 2009, with the exception of 2020, which was marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This success puts Spain three points above the continental average, which is 81.5 years. In addition to Spain, there are other countries that exceed this European average. Italy ranks second with an almost similar life expectancy, at 83.8 years, while Malta comes in third with an average life expectancy of 83.6 years.
These data highlight Spain’s success in promoting the health and well-being of its population, contributing to increased longevity and quality of life for its citizens.
A decade of leadership
Spain has topped the life expectancy rankings in Europe for the past ten years. Last year, Spain topped the list with a life expectancy of 84 years, followed by Italy (83.8), Malta (83.6), Luxembourg and Sweden (83.4), and Luxembourg (83.1).
At the other end of the ranking, the lowest numbers are in Bulgaria (75.8 years), Latvia (75.9), Romania (76.6) and Hungary (76.9).
Historical data collected by Eurostat, through Servimedia, since 2002 show that Italy was the country with the highest life expectancy in those years, with the exception of 2003, when Sweden, one of the Nordic countries, took first place.
Spain consistently maintained the highest life expectancy in the European Union from 2009 to 2019, reaching 84 years last year. Although Ireland topped the ranking in 2020, Spain regained its position in 2021 and continues to maintain this distinction.
Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a child will live, under current conditions of lifetime mortality. This indicator reflects the average length of life in a population, taking into account mortality rates in a certain period.
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