In these countries, people live
substantially longer than the worldwide
average – and each place has its own
secret source of vitality.Explorers throughout history have
searched for the legendary fountain of
youth. And while the elusive fountain has
yet to be found, certain places across the
world have emerged as centres where
people live substantially longer than the
worldwide average (around 71 years), and
each has its own secret source of vitality.
We talked to residents in some of the
countries where people live the longest, as
ranked by the 2017 World Happiness
Report, to uncover the reasons why these
places seem to nurture longevity.Japan
Living to 83 on average, the Japanese have
long had one of the highest life
expectancies. Okinawa, often called ‘the
land of immortals’, has been a global centre
for longevity research, as these southern
Japanese islands have more than 400
centenarians. Much credit for this has been
given to the local diet, which includes
plentiful tofu and sweet potato, and a small
amount of fish. Active social circles among
older residents and a strong community
also contribute to lower levels of stress and
a strong sense of belonging.
Okinawa, often called ‘the land of
immortals’, has been a global centre
for longevity research
To reap these benefits, learning the
language as an expat is critical, said Daniele
Gatti, CEO of Velvet Media and long-time
Japan resident. “Japan has an amazing
quality of life if you can get past the
language hurdle to better understand the
mentality” – which is more different from
Western culture than most visitors think, he
added. “Expats willing to move here should
think seriously about putting a major time
allocation into learning the language. It’s
key to integrating deeper in the local
society and living a full and meaningful
life.”
Spain
The Mediterranean diet, rich in heart-
healthy olive oil, vegetables and wine, has
long contributed to Spain’s long-lived
population (averaging 82.
![cool](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cool.png)
. But Spain has
another longevity secret up its sleeve: the
siesta.
Spain has another longevity secret up
its sleeve: the siesta
“People think all the Spaniards are doing la
siesta when the shops are closed between
2:00 and 5:00, but it is simply how the
working shift is organised,” said Miquel
Àngel Diez i Besora from Barcelona and
Gray Line tour guide. “If you have a
continuous shift and just a half an hour
break for lunch, then you eat a quick
takeaway. On the contrary, if you are
forced to stop for two or three hours, then
you go home or go to a restaurant where
you can sit down, eat two courses and
dessert, and have time enough to digest
well, it’s going to be healthier than a
takeaway.”
The density of Spanish cities also gets
people moving more, since shops and
restaurants all tend to be within walking
distance of most people’s residences.
“When I moved to Barcelona from Moscow,
I noticed that people here favour walking
or biking, even walking few blocks to take
public transport instead of using their own
vehicles,” said Marina Manasyan, co-
founder of Barcelona Eat Local Food
Tours. “You get your cells oxygenated and
you reduce your carbon footprint.”
Singapore
With broad access to the country’s state-of-
the-art medical facilities and what’s been
called a ‘miracle’ healthcare system,
Singaporeans are living longer than ever at
an average of 83.1 years old. The country
has one of the lowest maternal and infant
mortality rates in the world, and makes
preventative care a focus of its healthcare.
With broad access to a ‘miracle’
healthcare system, Singaporeans are
living longer than ever
The culture and accessible urban
environment also contributes to a longer
life. “You will see a lot of people going to
gyms or exercising in the public parks,
which are plentiful,” said Bino Chua, a
current resident and travel blogger at I
Wander. The country even recently opened
its first therapeutic park, designed to
reduce stress and improve mental
wellbeing among aging adults.
Health-averse habits are also harder to
maintain in Singapore. “Expats should
know that ‘vices’ are a lot more expensive
here,” said Chau. “Cigarettes and alcohol
are heavily taxed and cost a lot more than
in other countries.”
Switzerland
Men fare better in Switzerland than
anywhere else in the world, living to be 81
on average. As one of Europe’s wealthiest
countries, access to high-quality healthcare,
strong personal safety and sense of
wellbeing contributes to the high rank –
with some studies even pointing to the
country’s high intake of cheese and dairy
as a leading factor.
Men fare better in Switzerland than
anywhere else in the world
Though the country can be very career
focused with many expats moving for
work at one of the country’s many
international headquarters, its central
location makes it easy to balance frequent
relaxing escapes. “It’s a career pinnacle,
location-wise,” said Gatti, who has also
lived in Switzerland. “Living here allows for
wonderful weekend trips all over the
continent and to spend time outdoors in
the enchanting Alps.” The private schools
are also some of the “best on the planet,”
she added, which makes it appealing to
young families.
South Korea
South Korea is set to be the first country to
hit a life expectancy of 90 years according
to recent research, which credits a strong
and growing economy, broad access to
healthcare and lower blood pressure than
Western countries for its upward
trajectory.
The country also has a diet rich in
fermented foods, which are said to lower
cholesterol, boost immunity and inhibit
cancer. “As a whole, Korean food is high in
fibre and nutrient-dense,” Hoheb said.
South Korea is set to be the first
country to hit a life expectancy of 90
years
Residents say a cultural focus on
community and the associated traditions
contributes to the everyday quality of life
here. “The Jimjilbang (public bathhouse)
brings together people to recreate, to
socialise and to help reduce stress,” said
Camille Hoheb, founder of Wellness
Tourism Worldwide. “In South Korea,
there’s also an overall sense of mindfulness
that comes with the Buddhist mindset and
an overall attitude toward a culture of
cooperation versus individualism.”