In recent decades, life expectancy in Europe experienced a remarkable increase thanks to medical advances and improvements in public health. However, recent studies indicate that this growth has stagnated and even regressed in some countries. The most relevant findings on this phenomenon are detailed below.
Stagnation in Life Expectancy Growth
A study published in The Lancet Public Health reveals that, between 1990 and 2011, life expectancy in Europe increased at a rate of 0.23 years per year. However, between 2011 and 2019, this growth slowed to 0.15 years per year. England stands out for a more pronounced slowdown, from an annual increase of 0.25 years to just 0.07 years over the same period. This stagnation is attributed to factors such as unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this trend, further decreasing life expectancy in most European countries.
Contributing Factors
The increase in obesity and the prevalence of diets rich in ultra-processed foods have been identified as key factors in the slowdown in life expectancy. These eating habits, together with tobacco and alcohol consumption, have counteracted the progress made in reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer. Countries such as Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Belgium have managed to maintain or improve their life expectancy thanks to effective public health policies that address these risk factors.
Impact of the Pandemic of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on life expectancy globally. In Spain, for example, life expectancy at birth in 2022 was 83.1 years, still below the 83.5 years recorded in 2019, before the pandemic. Although a partial recovery has been observed, the levels prior to the health crisis have not yet been reached.
Future Projections
Despite current trends, previous studies projected that countries such as Spain could lead in life expectancy by 2040, reaching an average of 85.8 years.
Agencia SINC However, for these projections to materialize, it is essential to implement public policies that promote healthy lifestyles and address the aforementioned risk factors.
Future
Stagnation in life expectancy in Europe is a multifaceted challenge that requires comprehensive interventions. The promotion of healthy habits, the reduction of consumption of harmful products and the implementation of effective public health policies are essential to reverse this trend and ensure greater longevity and quality of life for the European population.
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