This European country has the worst life expectancy in Europe – and it’s not somewhere that’s easily guessed.
Moldova has an average life expectancy of 71.2 which is over 10 years less than some other European countries, including the UK.
For men, the average life expectancy is just 66.6, and for women it is 75.5.
The country is landlocked between Ukraine and Romania, and is also one of Europe’s poorest countries.
Moldova’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and since the start of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the country has become increasingly divided.
Other countries with a low life expectancy in Europe are Russia at 73.2, North Macedonia at 73.2, Ukraine at 73.4 and Belarus at 74.4.
The country with the highest life expectancy in Europe is Lichtenstein with a life expectancy of 84.8, which is over 13 years higher than Moldova.
For men, the average life expectancy is 82.5, and for women it is 87.3.
Lichtenstein is Europe’s fourth smallest country and is landlocked between Switzerland and Austria. It is also known as being one of the safest countries in the world.
Other European countries with a high life expectancy include Switzerland at 84.2, Spain at 84, Malta at 83.6 and Italy at 83.8.
The UK has a life expectancy of 81.3 on average, with a breakdown of 79.4 for men and 83.2 for women.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), its estimates confirm that lifespans were getting longer up until 2019. However, the Covid-19 pandemic erased nearly a decade of progress made in improving healthy longevity.
Countries which have high life spans often share similar factors which contribute to longevity.
Some of these aspects include healthy eating, strong healthcare systems, overall wealth of the country, and a focus on reducing stress.
