Where in Europe are people likely to live longer?

"Life expectancy in the EU continues to increase, reaching 81.5 years in 2024, 0.1 years more than the previous year and higher than in 2019, the year before the pandemic (81.3). As a reference, at the height of COVID-19, in 2021, the expectation of life had declined to 80.1 years across EU countries."

"There are major differences between the longevity of women and men, however. On average, women's life expectancy reached 84.1 years in 2024, 5.2 years more than men, according to the latest data published by the EU statistical office, Eurostat."

"On a country level, people live longer in Spain, where life expectancy in 2024 was 84 years, although in Switzerland which is not in the EU it was even higher, at 84.2 years. Among countries where life tends to be longer than the EU average there are Sweden (83.8), Italy (83.7), Norway (83.2), France (83), Austria (82.1), and Denmark (82)."

"The lowest life expectancy, instead, was recorded in three Bulgarian regions (between 73.9 and 75.4 years), France's overseas department of Mayotte (74.5) and Hungary's Eszak-Magyarorszag (75.1)."

European life expectancy continues to recover and grow, reaching 81.5 years in 2024 across EU countries, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 81.3 years in 2019. The pandemic caused a temporary decline to 80.1 years in 2021. Women significantly outlive men, with an average life expectancy of 84.1 years compared to 78.9 years for men, a gap of 5.2 years. Geographic variation is substantial, with Spain and Switzerland leading at 84 and 84.2 years respectively, while Bulgaria's regions record the lowest expectations between 73.9 and 75.4 years. Regional disparities show Madrid, Stockholm, and Italian provinces achieving 85+ years, contrasting sharply with disadvantaged areas. Gender gaps vary by country, with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Ireland showing smaller differences.

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