For the first time, life expectancy in Germany has fallen below the EU average and is 81.2 years – according to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published on Monday (November 18, 2024) in Paris. The forecast of 2.6 to 3 years shorter life puts Germany behind Spain, Italy or Sweden. This can be explained by the fact that life expectancy in Germany has increased more slowly than in other countries, explains the OECD.
In the EU, life expectancy last year was 81.5 years. The highest is in Spain (84), incl Italy (83.8) and in Malta (83.6). Poland is also below the EU average – life expectancy in Poland is on average 78.6 years.
Germany is the European leader in healthcare spending. Although spending declined slightly in 2022 due to massive cost increases during the coronavirus pandemic, Germany still spent 12.6%. of its GDP on health care. These are expenses of the order of PLN 5,300 euro per capita. This puts Germany at a level 50 percent higher than the EU average. According to preliminary data, although healthcare spending in Germany dropped to 11.8 percent of GDP in 2023, this percentage is still the highest in the EU.
The great importance of physical activity
Faced with a shortage of medical staff, the OECD has called for greater support for health in old age. According to the study, people in European countries aged 65 have, on average, another 20 years of life ahead of them. However, more than half of this time is marked by illness or disability. This problem affects women more than men. An OECD study shows that “a significant proportion of diseases in old age can be prevented if important risk factors are reduced over the course of life.” Physical activity is particularly important here. Only just over a fifth of people over 65 exercise enough.
The percentage of obese people increases with age and reaches a peak of around 20%. among people aged 65-74. The healthier older people are, the less countries have to invest in the health sector, emphasizes the OECD.
Change in the division of competences
Meanwhile, in 2022-2023, there was a shortage of female doctors in 20 European countries doctors. There was also a shortage of nurses in about 15 countries. As the OECD emphasizes: “Better working conditions and remuneration are key factors in making these professions attractive again.”
The organization recommends, among other things, a “more effective division of competences” among medical staff. In practice, this means enabling nurses to take over some activities that have previously been reserved for doctors.
(AFP/jar)
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle