The 15 countries with the longest life expectancies

Residents of these 15 countries live longer, but that lifespan presents a curious problem for life insurance brokers.

Insurance News

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Life spans are growing greatly in the world. Advances in medicine and what it means to be healthy have enabled us to live longer, more prosperous lives. Clients of life insurance will be looking for a policy that will fill all of these years.

In fact, LIMRA data shows 75% of people in the United States died before they reached 65-years-old in 1900. Fast forward to 2010, and a full 70% of people died after age 65.

Data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) of life expectancy in 2012 by country reveals the 15 countries with the longest life spans.  



Japan’s life expectancy remains the longest, as it has been for some years. WHO finds that the majority of health-related statistics in Japan continue to improve. This includes life expectancy and under-five mortality rate.

The United States’ life expectancy at birth is 79-years-old, just five years below Japan. This ranks the country at the 30th spot according to WHO’s data.

Despite the ranking, the US has experienced continuous elongation of life. From 1990 to 2012 alone, Americans’ life span increased four years, from 75 years of age to 79. Japan’s life span increased five years within the same time frame.

Interestingly, a longer life expectancy in the US has caused an adverse effect for the life insurance business. There are not as many consumers looking for these insurance policies as there once were. LIMRA finds that because life spans are longer, the urgency of getting life insurance has dissipated.

Total purchases of life insurance policies in 1960 were up to 83%. In 2010, this number had decreased to 70%. For individuals, the percentage has decreased from 72% to 44%.

This does not mean that life insurance is not needed, though. According to LIMRA’s ownership studies, 56% of 18- to 34-year-olds need more life insurance due to their age.

LIMRA also found that four in 10 households with children under 18 “say they would immediately have trouble meeting everyday living expenses if a primary wage earner died today.”

The consumers that are searching for life insurance are doing so out of want of protection.

“We continue to see consumers express more concern about living too long, or outliving their assets, rather than dying too soon,” said Kate Theroux, Assistant Vice President and Director of Public Relations at LIMRA.

For 75% of Generations X and Y, the highest concern is having enough money for a comfortable retirement.

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