Limiting Factors for Future Growth in Life Expectancy in Developed Countries

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy among high-income countries has flattened significantly in recent decades. Lifestyle-induced non-communicable chronic diseases are affecting increasing masses in developed countries, which, in the long run, could hamper the increase in life expectancy seen in previous decades. In addition, the coronavirus has created a new situation in the most developed regions of the world: for the first time, life expectancy is falling in the European Union. Our analysis points out that the magnitude of the reduction in life expectancy caused by the coronavirus in the region in 2020 was influenced by a few tangible variables. There was no significant difference in the rate of decline in life expectancy between richer-poorer, higher-lower-elderly countries in the European Union, but according to 2021 data, life expectancy in Central and Eastern European countries decreased significantly more than in central countries. If lifestyle-induced non-communicable chronic diseases and the coronavirus epidemic are not adequately addressed in the future, the flattening of life expectancy may remain permanent in developed countries.