Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. Longer life in Switzerland and SpainOn 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. AdvertisementGender differencesWomen in Europe tend to live longer than men, with an average expectation of 84.1 years compared to 78.9 years – a difference of 5.2 years. Spanish women have the highest life expectation in Europe, at 86.5 years, compared to 81.4 of Spanish men. In Austria women’s life expectation is on average 84.3 years and men’s 79.8, while in Germany it is 83.5 and 78.9 years respectively.

Source: The Local March 16, 2026 02:24 UTC