10 countries with the longest life...

Life expectancy is one of the clearest windows into how well a country takes care of its people. Simply put, it is the average number of years a person born today can expect to live, assuming current health and mortality conditions stay the same throughout their lifetime.

It is shaped by a combination of factors — the quality of a country's healthcare system, the food people eat, how active they are, how clean the air and water are, how safe the country is, and even how connected people feel to their communities. When these factors come together in a positive way, people live longer, healthier lives.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects (2024), the global average life expectancy in 2026 is approximately 73.4 years. But the countries on this list far exceed that figure — some by more than 13 years. So, which countries top the rankings, and what makes people there live so long?

Here are the 10 countries with the longest life expectancy in 2026, ranked from highest to lowest, based on the latest UN data.

Top 10 Countries by Life Expectancy (2026)

1. Monaco — 86.73 Years

Monaco holds the top spot for life expectancy in the world in 2026, and it is not hard to see why. This tiny but extraordinarily wealthy principality on the French Riviera has built an environment where living a long, healthy life is almost the default.

Monaco's healthcare system is world-class, with a strong focus on preventive care, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Residents have access to some of the best medical technology in Europe, often without long waiting times. The country also benefits from very low levels of air pollution and consistently clean drinking water — two environmental factors that have a measurable impact on long-term health.

Beyond healthcare, lifestyle plays a massive role. Residents eat a Mediterranean diet rich in fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. The climate is mild and sunny year-round, encouraging people to stay physically active outdoors. Monaco also has a very low crime rate and a stable, low-stress environment — which research consistently links to better cardiovascular health and longer life.

Women in Monaco live an average of 88.99 years, while men live an average of 85.17 years — both figures among the highest ever recorded for any population.

Key factors: World-class preventive healthcare, Mediterranean diet, clean environment, low crime, high income and stability.

2. San Marino — 86.03 Years

Completely surrounded by Italy, the tiny independent republic of San Marino is one of the smallest countries on Earth — but when it comes to keeping its citizens healthy, it punches well above its weight.

San Marino operates a universal healthcare system that covers all residents and places a strong emphasis on disease prevention rather than just treatment. The government actively invests in public health campaigns, vaccination programmes, and early screening for chronic diseases. This proactive approach means many conditions are caught and treated before they become life-threatening.

The country also enjoys a high per capita income, access to quality food, clean water, and strong education rates. Culturally, San Marino values an active lifestyle, with its hilly landscape encouraging regular physical movement. Residents also benefit from the same Mediterranean dietary traditions as neighbouring Italy — a diet that research has consistently linked to lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Key factors: Universal healthcare, strong prevention focus, high income, Mediterranean diet, active lifestyle.

3. Hong Kong (SAR) — 85.90 Years

Hong Kong consistently surprises people by ranking among the very top countries for life expectancy, despite being one of the world's most densely populated urban areas. The secret lies in a combination of economic strength, a highly effective healthcare system, and deeply embedded healthy habits.

Hong Kong's economy is one of the most developed in the world, and that wealth translates directly into high-quality hospitals, well-trained medical professionals, and accessible healthcare for the broader population. Infant mortality rates are extremely low, and deaths from air pollution, cardiovascular disease, and waterborne illnesses are well below the global average.

Diet is another major driver. The traditional Cantonese diet — high in vegetables, fish, and steamed or lightly cooked foods — is low in saturated fat and rich in nutrients. Hong Kong also has an extensive public transport network that naturally encourages people to walk more as part of their daily routine. The mild climate supports year-round outdoor activity.

Women in Hong Kong have a life expectancy of approximately 88 years, making them among the longest-living women on the planet.

Key factors: an advanced healthcare system, a traditional low-fat diet, low infant mortality, an active daily lifestyle, and strong economic development.

4. Japan — 84.70 Years

Japan has been a top-ranked country for life expectancy for decades, and its approach to longevity has been studied extensively by scientists, doctors, and public health experts worldwide. In 2026, it remains one of the most reliable examples of how diet, culture, and healthcare can work together to extend healthy life.

Japan introduced universal health coverage in 1961 — earlier than almost any other country — meaning its population has had access to regular preventive care for over 60 years. Early cancer screenings, routine check-ups, and accessible medication have significantly reduced premature deaths from treatable conditions.

But diet may be Japan's greatest longevity secret. The traditional Japanese diet is rich in fish, seaweed, fermented foods such as miso and natto, tofu, and fresh vegetables. It is naturally low in saturated fat, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and calorie-moderate. The cultural concept of hara hachi bū — eating until you are 80% full — is deeply embedded, particularly in Okinawa, Japan's longest-lived prefecture, which is classified as a global "Blue Zone".

Japan also has very low obesity rates (around 4.3%), strong community bonds, and a culture that deeply respects and integrates elderly people into daily life — reducing the social isolation that is increasingly recognised as a serious health risk in older populations.

Key factors: universal healthcare since 1961, traditional fish-and-vegetable diet, low obesity, cultural calorie moderation, and strong community ties.

5. Switzerland — 84.00 Years

Switzerland consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for quality of life, and its life expectancy figures reflect that. In 2026, the Swiss average stands at 84.00 years, supported by one of the most well-funded and well-organised healthcare systems on the planet.

Switzerland spends a higher proportion of its GDP on healthcare than almost any other country in the European Union, and the results are clear. The system provides comprehensive coverage, short waiting times, and access to cutting-edge treatments. There is also a strong cultural commitment to preventive health — regular medical check-ups are the norm, and health literacy among the population is high.

Beyond healthcare, Swiss residents tend to live active lifestyles. With easy access to mountains, lakes, and hiking trails, outdoor physical activity is a natural part of everyday life. The diet is varied and includes high-quality dairy products, fresh produce, and — famously — dark chocolate, which, in moderate amounts, has been associated with cardiovascular benefits. Switzerland also has very clean air and water, low pollution levels, and a stable, high-income social environment.

Key factors: high healthcare investment, preventive care culture, active outdoor lifestyle, clean environment, high standard of living.

6. South Korea — 83.00 Years

South Korea's life expectancy story is one of the most remarkable transformations in global health history. In 1960, the average South Korean lived to just 52 years. In 2026, that figure stands at 83.00 years — an increase of over 30 years in just six decades.

This dramatic improvement has been driven by rapid economic development, improvements in nutrition and food security, and major investments in public healthcare infrastructure. South Korea now operates a comprehensive national health insurance system that covers the vast majority of its population and prioritises both treatment and prevention.

Diet also plays a critical role. The traditional Korean diet is rich in fermented vegetables such as kimchi, which provides beneficial probiotics; lean proteins including fish and tofu; and a wide variety of plant-based foods. South Korea also has relatively low rates of obesity compared to other high-income countries.

Many experts now project that South Korea could overtake Japan to have the world's highest life expectancy by 2030, making it the fastest-rising country in the global rankings.

Key factors: remarkable historical improvement, universal healthcare, fermented food diet, low obesity, rapid economic development.

7. Singapore — 82.80 Years

Singapore is a remarkable achievement in public health. A small city-state with a densely packed, multiethnic population, it has nevertheless built one of the world's most efficient and effective healthcare systems — and its life expectancy figures reflect that investment.

Singapore records very low infant mortality rates, minimal deaths from air pollution, and exceptionally low cardiovascular and chronic respiratory disease mortality. Its healthcare system combines government oversight with elements of personal responsibility and market competition, creating a model that delivers strong outcomes at relatively low cost compared to countries like the United States.

Public health policy in Singapore is particularly assertive. Anti-smoking laws are strict and widely enforced. Anti-obesity campaigns target diet and physical activity from school age onwards. Food labelling is clear and comprehensive, helping residents make healthier choices every day.

The traditional diet in Singapore — influenced by Chinese, Malay, and Indian culinary traditions — is built around fresh ingredients, rice, vegetables, and seafood, keeping saturated fat consumption relatively low.

Key factors: efficient national healthcare system, strict public health laws, low smoking rates, diverse and nutritious diet, and low pollution.

8. Italy — 83.60 Years

Italy is living proof of what a culture built around good food, family, and community can do for human health. In 2026, Italy's average life expectancy stands at 83.60 years, placing it firmly among the world's longest-living nations.

The Mediterranean diet — Italy's greatest contribution to global health — is abundant in olive oil, fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and moderate amounts of red wine. Decades of scientific research have confirmed that this dietary pattern significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It is one of the most studied and validated diets in the world for promoting longevity.

Italy also has a universal public healthcare system that provides broad coverage across the population, alongside a deeply embedded cultural attitude toward rest, pleasure, and social connection. Long mealtimes with family, afternoon rest, and strong community ties all reduce the chronic stress that shortens lives in many modern societies.

Sardinia, one of Italy's southern islands, is classified as a global Blue Zone — one of only five regions in the world where people regularly live past 100 years. The island's high concentration of centenarians has attracted scientists from around the world studying the secrets of extreme longevity.

Key factors: Mediterranean diet, universal healthcare, strong family and social bonds, slow-living culture, Blue Zone in Sardinia.

9. Australia — 83.40 Years

Australia is the only country in the Southern Hemisphere to make the top 10 list for life expectancy, and it earns its place through a combination of strong public health investment, an active lifestyle culture, and natural environmental advantages.

Australia's universal healthcare system, known as Medicare, ensures that the vast majority of residents can access medical care without financial hardship. The government also runs large-scale public health campaigns targeting smoking, alcohol misuse, skin cancer prevention, and preventable chronic disease – campaigns that have made measurable differences in population health over time.

The warm climate encourages Australians to spend a great deal of time outdoors, whether swimming, surfing, hiking, or simply walking. Physical activity levels are higher than the global average, and Australians have some of the lowest rates of obesity among high-income nations.

Australia also benefits from very low rates of violent crime, excellent food safety standards, and clean air and water across most of the country. The nation's multicultural population brings a rich variety of dietary influences, often including the kinds of fresh, plant-rich eating patterns associated with longer lives.

Key factors: Medicare universal healthcare, active outdoor culture, public health campaigns, clean environment, low crime rates.

10. Sweden — 83.20 Years

Sweden rounds out the top 10 with an average life expectancy of 83.20 years in 2026. Like its Nordic neighbours Norway, Denmark, and Finland, Sweden has built a society that strongly supports the health and well-being of all its citizens — not just the wealthy.

Sweden operates a well-funded universal healthcare system with a strong emphasis on equity — meaning that access to good medical care is not determined by income or social status. Low income inequality, measured by a Gini coefficient of 0.28, means the gap between the richest and poorest in Swedish society is much smaller than in many other developed nations. Research consistently shows that more equal societies have better overall health outcomes.

Sweden also places great cultural value on work-life balance. Workers enjoy generous parental leave, limits on excessive working hours, and a strong tradition of taking time to rest and connect socially — including the much-loved ritual of fika, a deliberate break for coffee and conversation. These habits reduce chronic stress, which is a major driver of cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The Swedish diet is also notably healthy — rich in fish, whole grains, berries, root vegetables, and fermented dairy products, and relatively low in processed foods.

Key factors: universal healthcare, low income inequality, strong work-life balance, low-stress culture, nutritious traditional diet.

Data source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 | StatisticsTimes.com (updated February 2026) | WHO 2024 estimates. Life expectancy figures are at birth, for both sexes combined.