Malta on the Top: Countries where its Inhabitants Enjoy the Longest Years of Healthy Life in the EU

September 28 2024 08:50:07 by PCLMedia

Malta emerged as the leading country in the European Union for healthy ageing, though the rankings for the best and worst countries differ for men and women. When it comes to living a long, healthy life, Malta ranks first in the European Union, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

As Europeans live longer than ever before and face a rapidly ageing population, the quality of life in old age has become a crucial issue. Healthy life expectancy measures the number of years the average person can live without disabilities or limitations, providing insight into how well EU countries are supporting their citizens in staying healthy as they age.

According to Eurostat's 2022 analysis, Malta, the Mediterranean island nation, leads the EU in healthy life expectancy for both men and women. Women in Malta can expect an average of 70.3 healthy life years, while men can expect 70.1 years, both figures significantly higher than most EU countries.

Malta’s Healthcare System: A Pillar of Support

Malta’s healthcare system plays a key role in ensuring that its population enjoys such long and healthy lives. The country has a comprehensive public healthcare system that offers nearly universal coverage, funded through taxes and national insurance contributions. Every Maltese citizen has access to free healthcare services, including general practitioner visits, hospital care, specialist services, and pharmaceuticals. This widespread access is one reason why chronic diseases are less prevalent among older adults in Malta compared to other EU nations.

Moreover, Malta has an extensive network of primary healthcare facilities, which serve as the first point of contact for residents. Preventive services, such as screenings and health check-ups, are prioritized in order to catch and manage conditions early on. The country has also introduced several national strategies focusing on preventing non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, all of which contribute to maintaining a healthier population as it ages.

Malta's investment in public health and promotion of healthy lifestyles are critical in its leadership in healthy life expectancy. Older adults are encouraged to remain physically active, follow a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, and engage with community services that support mental and social well-being. This holistic approach contributes to the island’s success in reducing age-related disabilities and promoting longer years of good health.

Comparisons Across the EU

For women, the other top countries for healthy life years are Bulgaria (68.9), Slovenia (68.5), Italy (67.8), and Greece (67.8). For men, Sweden (67.5), Italy (67.1), Greece (66.2), Cyprus (65.7), and Ireland (65.2) round out the top five.

Interestingly, women tend to have slightly more healthy life years than men on average, though the gap between men and women’s health expectancy is narrowing in some regions.

At the lower end of the spectrum, Denmark ranks worst for women in terms of healthy life expectancy, despite having a strong healthcare system. Danish women can expect just 54.6 healthy life years, which is considerably lower than their Maltese counterparts. Cancer rates in Denmark, which are higher than in many other EU countries, contribute to this figure. Other countries where women’s healthy life expectancy is relatively low include Latvia (55.4), the Netherlands (56.3), Finland (56.5), Portugal (58), and Slovakia (58).

For men, Latvia is at the bottom with only 53 healthy life years, followed by Slovakia (56.6), Denmark (57.1), Estonia (58), and Lithuania (58.2). Eight countries, including Latvia, Denmark, Slovakia, and Finland, report that many citizens should not expect to remain healthy into their 60s.

Gender Differences in Healthy Life Expectancy

On average, women in the EU can expect 62.8 healthy life years, slightly more than men’s 62.4 years. While women generally live longer than men, they also spend more years in poor health, meaning that a higher percentage of their life expectancy is spent with disabilities or health limitations. Healthy life years account for 75% of women’s life expectancy and 80% of men’s, according to Eurostat’s findings. Men, therefore, live shorter lives but often experience less time in poor health compared to women.

Healthy Life Years vs. Overall Life Expectancy

Interestingly, a higher number of healthy life years does not necessarily correlate with a longer overall life expectancy. Bulgaria, for example, ranks high in terms of healthy life years but has the lowest overall life expectancy in the EU at 75.8 years. This suggests that in some countries, the healthcare system is effective at keeping the population healthy for a significant portion of their lives, even if overall life expectancy remains lower.

In conclusion, Malta's healthcare system, with its universal access, emphasis on preventive care, and support for healthy lifestyles, has made the country a model for healthy ageing in Europe. As the EU grapples with an ageing population, other member states may look to Malta’s healthcare policies and practices as a blueprint for improving their citizens’ quality of life in their later years.