Hong Kong has the world’s highest life expectancy, here’s why

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With more than seven million people crammed into a tiny land mass, Hong Kong is known as one of the most densely populated places in the world. But according to a number of sources including the United Nations and the World Bank, Hongkongers can expect to live longer than people in any other place on Earth. A number of factors contribute to this, ranging from the economy and social welfare, to tough government measures to curb smoking.

(Photo: SCMP / Xiaomei Chen)

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[Terrakinetic]

And a culture that values the younger generation keeping the older generation alive.

[maychu]

Many Hong Kong people tend to live with their parents after getting married, or if they move out, they choose to live in the same district of their parents' home. It is normal for elderly people to help taking care of their grandchildren. The elderly are more happy than their counterparts in Japan, who spend their elderly lives with their old spouse or live alone after the spouse die, with their adult children live in another cities and only visit them once a year.

[tyfmgem]

UK and US were probably not the best examples to choose for healthcare spending……

[necrmancerjem]

My grandma died at 101. From Philippines 🇵🇭
I think it’s genetics, lifestyle and food (our veggies is freshly picked from our backyard).

[garyw]

Okinawa, Japan. Okinawans live even longer. I lived there on and off for 3 years and older people are as numerous as high school kids on spring break. The average age is 90 for women and 84 for men. You see them all over the place and they are very active. I think living on a small island with a continuous breeze to blow off pollution and eating a lot of fish vegetables may play a role. The other thing, I noticed is many Okinawans, old and young, have overbites like a second tooth growing over another. Perhaps because of a small population without too many outsiders to interact with.

[kaylancor]

I like all the trails and walking pathways so people dont have to drive everywhere.

[ceowin]

I think it's because of all the walking. Small things like that done on a daily basis compounds significantly

[hollowbread]

Hong Kong: That’ll be 15 dollars.
America: Five dollars for breathing and an additional 10 for existing not to mention the 4, 000, 000, 000 dollar tax for riding in the wee-woo machine as well as another 10, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 fee for not having affordable health care because that’s 100% your fault cause we said so.

[TA_]

my boss(HK citizen ) is 92yrs old and she's still strong & healthy

[vincentlui]

Hong Kong still has many unique advantages and people should cherish this treasure.

[uhu]

HK is known for its fast-paced lifestyle. There's a local expression that literally means people are "too busy to fall ill but wouldn't mind dropping dead", assuming because the latter is less time-consuming.

[madszwzteo]

There are relatively few fat people in Hong Kong compared to other countries especially western ones, let alone obese people. Lifestyle choices and healthy eating.

[cvqttyy]

Some people here at Hong Kong could live up to 90 - 100 years old. My great grandma lived 95 years. At the age of 95.5 years old, she died :(

[Violetlsdoingokay]

To put it simply, a lot cities in the US were and still are being constructed around the individual having to own a car to do anything. So most people in the US drive instead of walk because bonehead city planners made it impractical to walk in most situations, thus lower overall health regardless of diet. I'm speaking of the US because I live here.

[florencechan]

When you get old must do Tai Chi Qi Gong or traditional Chinese martial arts two hrs each day . Try to do it outdoor in the nature . Also hiking . In HK hiking on the mountains is super accessible . Tea drinking (anti oxidants ) Chinese soups (anti oxidants ). Eating less . you can eat anything you want but just eat enough or less .

[Infincosmo]

When I was in Hong Kong, I was walking on average 8 miles a day. And that was just getting around the city on a normal day.

[elisabetejardim]

It is incredible that such a densely populated region can have such a long life expectancy, but now I see that is because of non cigarette politics! Well done, Hong Kong! I hope that many more countries or cities can follow this model! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[lalakuma]

It's so bizarre to me that healthcare in Hong Kong is so cheap, but if you're poor you have to live in a bedroom the size of a coffin.

[redrose]

What I've learnt is that young people have more respect for their seniors unlike the UK. In general, Hong Kong seems like a happier place to live with plenty of sightseeing and things to do.

[thilakraj]

I have travelled to many countries and lived few years in HK. HK is the best place which stays in my heart. It has amazing people, places, infrastructure, lifestyle, etc. A perfect place for anyone to live 😊