How many years of healthy life can EU citizens expect?

In 2023, residents of the European Union can expect to live an average of 63.1 years of life without serious health limitations: 63.3 years for women and 62.8 for men. Although women live on average 5.3 years longer (84 years vs. 78.7 years), the proportion of "healthy years" in their total life expectancy is lower - 75 per cent vs. 80 per cent for men. Thus, men, having shorter lives, spend relatively more time in good health.

At the country level, the situation differs markedly. In nine EU states, men showed more healthy years than women. Malta was the absolute leader for both sexes: 71.7 years for men and 71.1 years for women. Italy (68.5 years for men, 69.6 for women) and Sweden (67.2 for men) follow.

Latvia (51.2 years for men and 54.3 for women), Estonia (56.5 and 55.9) and Slovakia (56.8 for men) were at the bottom of the ranking. Unexpectedly, Denmark (55.4 years) was among the outsiders in the female indicator.

These data reflect not only the level of health care, but also socio-economic conditions, environmental quality, lifestyle and the level of disease prevention. In leading countries, high indicators are often combined with a well-developed system of medical care and a culture of health care, while in outsider countries statistics indicate the need for comprehensive reforms.