Spanish life expectancy still one of the best in the world

Sunshine, buckets of fresh air and an endless, affordable supply of this stuff means Spaniards live healthily for a very long time.

Studies have long-proved the benefits of living a Mediterranean lifestyle, with all of the wealthy western nations that border the Med enjoying average life expectancies that exceed much of the rest of Europe, and most of the world.

And data published this week by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has revealed that Spain is pulling away – along with France and Italy – from the rest of the continent when it comes to life expectancy…

The average life expectancy in Spain has risen to 82 years, an increase of five years over the past two decades – which is one of the highest increases in the Western world. In 1990, Spanish life expectancy was 77 years, compared to 76 for Brits. Today, Brits can expect to live to 81.5 years.

Globally, Spaniards are the 13^th longest-living nationality, with Andorra – which borders Spain and France – leading the way, with the tiny country offering a life expectancy of 83.9 years.

And while Japan takes second spot with an average lifespan of 83.3 years, Iceland, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus, Malta and Italy are up next, offering proof that Europe – particularly in and around the Mediterranean – is the place to be for longevity.

Spaniards also enjoy one of the world’s healthiest lifestyles, according to further research by Public Health England, which found that there are huge disparities in health across England.

The southeast and southwest of England offer its residents life expectancies that are among the highest in Europe, but other regions of the UK – particularly Scotland – fare badly in longevity and health.

According to a similar study by the Global Burden of Disease, living in Spain reduces the chance of death from the types of diseases and afflictions that regularly strike people living in England, such as poor diet, high blood pressure and diabetes – all of which figure highly in the causes of death and ill health in England.

The healthy nature of the Mediterranean diet – which comprises bundles of fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses and fish – helps Spaniards guard against some of the more common diet-related ailments, while the excellent climate and generally slower pace of life ensures that Spaniards get their fill of rest, exercise and vitamins C and D.