The lowest position in terms of lifespan. - Germans have a shorter lifespan compared to other Europeans.
The European Union's Statistical Office states that the average German lifespan is 81.2 years, which ranks them last in comparison to other Western European countries. Individuals in Spain (84.0 years) and Italy (83.8) have the longest life expectancies, while those in Malta (83.6) and Luxembourg (83.4) aren't far behind. Germany trails the Western European average by 1.7 years. This shift has accelerated in recent years, with the gap increasing from 0.7 years in 2000 to its current state.
The German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research conducted a study on this gap. BiB's lead author Pavel Grigoriev explains, "The early 2000s signaled a significant change in Germany's mortality trends. Despite this, both West and East Germany have fallen behind in comparison to their Western European counterparts."
Factors Contributing to the Gap
The increase in the mortality gap can be attributed to several causes, one of which is an elevated rate of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. BiB Research Director Sebastian Klüsener emphasizes the importance of improving disease prevention and early detection efforts. Additionally, efforts to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as promoting healthy eating habits, could help narrow the gap. Klüsener suggests that addressing these areas could better prepare Germany for the impending societal aging process.
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Source: symclub.org
