Mapped: The world according to life expectancy
Average life expectancy in some countries is expected to rise by more than five years by 2030, a new study has claimed. Scientists and researchers applied various forecasting models to 35 (mostly developed) countries and concluded that the average South Korean will live to 90 or older within 13 years, while residents of most nations will see an increase in life expectancy of three or more years.
As the map below shows, South Korean already has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with the average person reaching 82.3 years according to WHO statistics published last summer (males live to 78.8, on average, and females 85.5). It is trumped by 10 countries, however. Japan tops the list, with citizens living to 83.7 years (males 80.5 and females 86.8), followed by Switzerland, Singapore, Australia and Spain.
The UK lags behind in 20th overall, with an average life expectancy of 81.2 (males 79.4 and females 83), while the US comes 30th (79.3 years), behind the likes of Costa Rica, Chile and Cyprus - and only one place above Cuba. Note that a handful of countries are not included in the WHO's statistics, including Andorra, Greenland and Kosovo.
The 20 countries where people live longest
Japan - 83.7 years
Switzerland - 83.4
Singapore - 83.1
Australia - 82.8
Spain - 82.8
Iceland - 82.7
Italy - 82.7
Israel - 82.5
Sweden - 82.4
France - 82.4
South Korea - 82.3
Canada - 82.2
Luxembourg - 82
Netherlands - 81.9
Norway - 81.8
Malta - 81.7
New Zealand - 81.6
Austria - 81.5
Ireland - 81.4
United Kingdom - 81.2
The other end of the rankings is depressingly unsurprising. Africa is the only continent that contains nations where the average life expectancy is below 60. And there are 21 of them. The lowest life expectancy of all is found in Sierra Leone, where it is a staggering 50.1, followed by Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast and Lesotho. There are a few notable exceptions, such as Morocco (where life expectancy is 74.3), Egypt (70.9), Algeria (75.6), Libya (72.7) and Tunisia (75.3).
The 20 countries where people die youngest
Sierra Leone - 50.1 years
Angola - 52.4
Central African Republic - 52.5
Chad - 53.1
Cote d'Ivoire - 53.3
Lesotho - 53.7
Nigeria - 54.5
Somalia - 55
Cameroon - 57.3
South Sudan - 57.3
Mozambique - 57.6
Equatorial Guinea - 58.2
Mali - 58.2
Malawi - 58.3
Swaziland - 58.9
Guinea-Bissau - 58.9
Guinea - 59
Burundi - 59.6
Democratic Republic of the Congo - 59.8
Togo - 59.9
Europe generally fares well, but the life expectancy falls as you travel east, from 81 in Germany, to 77.5 in Poland, to 72.3 Belarus (the world's booziest nation, we recently revealed), and finally to 70.5 in Russia.
Canadians live three years longer than their neighbours to the south, the US, while there are some notable differences between the South American states - Chileans live to a healthy 80.5 years, on average, but over the border in Bolivia it's just 70.7.
Six holidays to help you live longer
1. Okinawa Archipelago, Japan
A group of 161 islands in the East China Sea, the Okinawa Archipelago is home to ruins, rare cats, extensive limestone caves and coral reefs. The residents here also live longer than anywhere else in the world. There are 34.7 centenarians for every 100,000 inhabitants, five times more than the rest of Japan. Explanations have included diet (low-fat, low-salt foods, such as fish, tofu and seaweed are popular here), low-stress lifestyle, and the spirituality of the inhabitants. Head there and some of it might rub off on you. BA flies (indirect) from Gatwick and Glasgow to Okinawa Naha.
2. Campodimele, Italy
The hilltop town of Campodimele lies in the Italian province of Latina, halfway between Naples and Rome. Its residents live to an average age of 95, with the mountain air, relaxed lifestyle and diet - basil, anchovies, spaghetti, tomatoes - said to be responsible. Take the train from Rome or Naples to Formia, the nearest major settlement to Campodimele, and hire a Vespa. See trenitalia.com.
3. Symi, Greece
The inhabitants of Symi in Greece often live into their nineties, with diet (olive oil, fish, tomatoes, and only a little meat) again thought to be the key factor. There's no airport, so you'll need to fly to Rhodes and take a ferry.
4. Loma Linda, California
The town of Loma Linda, set on the outskirts of Los Angeles, has been cited as another place where residents live unusually long lives. A number are Seventh-day Adventists, who refrain from eating meat and drinking alcohol, which probably explains why.
5. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
The region in Costa Rica is known for its beaches and is a popular tourist destination. Its residents also frequently live beyond 100 years of age. The simple lifestyle - Nicoyans usually make a living farming or on cattle ranches - is said to be responsible. The beaches probably help.
6. Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Due to its unusually robust population - and its residents' propensity for exaggeration (some claim to be older than 120) - Vilcabamba, in southern Ecuador, has been described as "The Valley of Longevity". Scientists have come here attempting to unravel the mystery and one businessman even developed and marketed a "miracle" drink made from locally grown fruit and vegetables.
Telegraph Travel has previously mapped the world according to population density, alcohol consumption, the threat from terror, the risk of natural disaster, and the number of World Heritage Sites that each country possesses. For all our maps, see telegraph.co.uk/tt-maps
