The countries offering the longest and shortest average life expectancy for retired expats has been revealed.
This research comes from expat insurance company William Russell, who looked at people’s average life expectancy from the age of 60 onwards around the world.
The team explains: ‘We’ve focused on life expectancy at age 60 rather than life expectancy at birth so that we only consider current health outcomes for older people, rather than trying to predict these outcomes in another 60 years’ to ‘showcase where you could build a healthier life abroad in your golden years’.
William Russell also looked at the number of years spent in ‘good health’ on average after retirement in each country.
And the USA and UK don’t make the top 10 list of healthiest retirement locations.
Read on for the full ranking and let us know where you’d like to move to in the comments…
The longest life expectancies
Japan
William Russell has looked at the average life expectancy in countries around the world. Japan tops the list, pictured above is Tokyo
Japan tops the list for life expectancy after 60, with residents living for another 26.4 years until the age of 86.4, on average.
At least 20 of those years are enjoyed in good health, on average.
William Russell says: ‘Japan has an established reputation as one of the world’s healthiest locations, consistently recording some of the highest life expectancies year after year.
‘Many theories exist for why the Japanese live so long and experience such good health, with many attributing this success to the prominence of fish and vegetables in the local diet and a historic lack of unhealthy cooking methods and additives.’
South Korea
South Korea ranks just behind Japan for life expectancy after 60, as residents live for another 26.2 years (to 86.2 years old), with 19 of those years spent in good health on average.
South Korea ranks just behind Japan for life expectancy after 60, with residents living for another 26.2 years (to 86.2 years old). Pictured above is Seoul
William Russell explains: ‘South Korea is known for its healthy diet, which includes a large amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and poultry.
‘The country also has a subsidised healthcare system that is widely accessible to residents, who, on average, only need to cover 20 per cent of their medical treatments.
‘This system is funded by National Health Insurance contributions, which are five per cent for employed individuals, and variable for the self-employed, based on their income.’
Singapore
Singapore rounds off the top three, with residents expected to live for another 26.1 years after 60 (to 86.1 years old), with 20 years spent in good health, on average.
Singapore rounds off the top three with residents expected to live for another 26.1 years after 60 (to 86.1 years old). Pictured above is Singapore’s financial district
William Russell reveals: ‘Singapore is a highly developed country in Southeast Asia that has seen a transformation of public health in recent decades due to proactive policymaking efforts.
‘These include high taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, the promotion of active lifestyles and healthy diets, and a focus on providing accessible green spaces to its residents.’
The shortest life expectancies
South Africa
South Africa comes last on the list for life expectancy, with residents expected to live for just 15.3 years after the age of 60 (to 75.3 years old), and only 11 of those are spent in good health on average for a variety of reasons.
William Russell explains: ‘The country is home to staggering inequality, causing disparate health outcomes between communities.
‘While the era of apartheid came to an end in the early 1990s, successive governments have not yet managed to extend effective health policy to the wider population, with many people unable to afford the healthcare they need.’
Indonesia
Indonesia comes just above South Africa on the ranking with residents living for another 15.4 years after the age of 60. Pictured above is Jakarta
Indonesia comes just above South Africa on the ranking, with residents living for another 15.4 years after the age of 60 (to 75.4 years old), with only 11 of those years spent in good health.
William Russell says: ‘For decades, Indonesia has been struggling with very high levels of air pollution.
‘More than 90 per cent of the country’s population lives in cities where the pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization’s guidelines.’
India
India ranks third-lowest on the list, with residents living for another 15.6 years on average after the age of 60 (to 75.6 years old), with just 11.5 of those years spent in good health.
William Russell explains: ‘India is a vast country with great wealth inequality between the richest and poorest.
‘Disparities in life expectancy not only exist between rich and poor but are reinforced by the country’s ancient caste system, with people in lower-ranked castes often living shorter lives.
‘However, the caste system’s influence may decline as the world becomes more globally connected, and these considerations would be unlikely to impact an expat living in the country.’
South Africa comes last on the list for life expectancy, with residents expected to live for just 15.3 years after the age of 60. Pictured above is Cape Town
India ranks third-lowest on the list, with residents living for another 15.6 years on average after the age of 60 (to 75.6 years old). Pictured above is Mumbai
It comes after Costa Rica was revealed to be the world’s friendliest country for expats.
The vast majority of expats (88 per cent) feel ‘very welcome’ in Costa Rica while 83 per cent say they feel at home there.
The result came from a survey by InterNations, an expat guide, which asked foreign residents in 53 countries around the globe to rate their new home.
Expats were asked about their social life, whether they felt at home, how easy it was to get used to the culture and the friendliness of the local population.
