Thank you Germany: Part 053: The country offers a high life expectancy

On average, German residents live to be 81 years old. This gives the country an advantage that should not be underestimated: life expectancy is above average. By way of comparison, residents in the United States of America live to an average age of just under 78 years and in Russia it is only 70 years. In most other countries in the world, the average life expectancy is probably even lower. This means that Germany offers its inhabitants a tangible advantage for which Germans can be grateful. There are probably several reasons for the high life expectancy. On the one hand, the country has modern research in the field of medicine. Secondly, Germany has a good social welfare system.

This ensures that broad sections of the population receive good medical care. Compulsory membership of the health insurance scheme also ensures that everyone receives good medical treatment in the event of problems. This is complemented by good medical care, which in Germany often begins in childhood. Dentists and general practitioners visit kindergartens and primary schools and take care of the children. The children are informed about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as well as receiving medical treatment. Vaccination against certain diseases is part of the standard programme in Germany, for example. It is mandatory by law. Accordingly, all children are immunised against certain diseases, so that they are virtually non-existent in Germany. Infant care is also extremely good in Germany. If children in families are not well cared for, the youth welfare office takes care of problem cases if necessary. Even in adulthood, Germans receive good medical care and support for a healthy lifestyle.

Many Germans go to the gym or go running. A healthy lifestyle like this also helps to significantly increase the life expectancy of individuals. Two factors come together in the statistics: Firstly, there is a supportive government structure. Secondly, Germans make their own contribution to maintaining their health through exercise and sport. Either way, the result is a real success. Doctors assume that life expectancy can only be increased minimally further. 81 years is already a high figure that Germans can be proud of. Some people live even longer. There are also many people in Germany who celebrate their 100th birthday. The country's mild climate is also good for life expectancy. It ensures that people's bodies are not exposed to excessive cold in winter and often have to deal with moderate temperatures in summer. If it does get hotter, good air conditioning systems equalise these temperatures. All in all, Germans have a pleasant temperature that does not put their bodies under too much stress.

Important regulations relating to labour law also ensure that the health of Germans is strengthened. Germans can retire from a certain age. Those who perform particularly strenuous work from a young age, such as construction workers, can often retire a little earlier. When Germans retire, they usually still have many years of life ahead of them.