Spain Continues to Lead EU in Life Expectancy, Reaching 84 Years in 2024

Spain remains the European Union country with the highest life expectancy, reaching an impressive average of 84 years in 2024, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat on May 3. This marks a continuation of Spain's leadership in longevity since 2009, with the exception of a slight dip during the 2020 pandemic year. The EU's overall life expectancy at birth has also seen an increase, rising to 81.5 years in 2024, which is 0.9 years higher than the previous year and 0.2 years above the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019.

Why this matters: The trend in life expectancy has significant implications for healthcare systems, pension plans, and social security structures across the EU. The trend in life expectancy has significant implications for healthcare systems, pension plans, and social security structures across the EU. Understanding the factors contributing to increasedlife expectancy can inform policy decisions and help mitigate the challenges posed by an aging population.

Following closely behind Spain are Italy and Malta, with life expectancies of 83.8 years and 83.6 years, respectively. These Mediterranean nations have consistently ranked among the top performers in the EU, likely benefiting from factors such as healthy diets, active lifestyles, and strong healthcare systems. On the other end of the spectrum, Bulgaria has the lowest life expectancy at birth in the EU, with an average of 75.8 years. Latvia and Romania also fall short, with life expectancies of 75.9 years and 76.6 years, respectively.

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, 18 EU countries experienced an increase in life expectancy in 2024, while two countries remained stable and six saw a decrease. Romania saw the largest increase of 1.0 year, followed by Lithuania with 0.8 years. Bulgaria, Czechia, Luxembourg, and Malta all saw a rise of 0.7 years. In contrast, Austria and Finland recorded the most significant decreases of 0.4 years each. These disparities highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing health inequalities across the region.

Spain's consistent leadership in life expectancy can be attributed to various factors, including its diverse climate and lifestyle. The country boasts 13 distinct climatic zones, ranging from Mediterranean to continental, oceanic, and semi-arid. This climatic diversity, coupled with a culture that values healthy eating, regular physical activity, and strong social connections, likely contributes to the longevity of its population.

The EU continues to confront the post-pandemic reality, monitoring life expectancy trends is vital in assessing the long-term impact of the crisis on population health. While Spain's success in maintaining high life expectancy is commendable, efforts must be made to address the disparities that persist across the region. The positive trend of increasing life expectancy in the EU suggests a recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. As stated by Eurostat,"This positive trend suggests a recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis onlife expectancyacross the region."

Key Takeaways

• Spain has the highest life expectancy in the EU, averaging 84 years in 2024.
• EU's overall life expectancy increased to 81.5 years, 0.9 years higher than 2023.
• Italy and Malta follow Spain, with life expectancies of 83.8 and 83.6 years, respectively.
• Bulgaria has the lowest life expectancy, averaging 75.8 years at birth.
• 18 EU countries saw an increase in life expectancy in 2024, while 6 saw a decrease.