5) Italy (Overall life expectancy: 83 years)

Italy enjoys a high human development index. Male life expectancy is 80 years and female life expectancy is 85 years in this European nation. Italy has been running as universal public healthcare system since 1978. It ranks fifth in male life expectancy and fourth in female life expectancy.

4) Switzerland (Overall life expectancy: 83 years)

Switzerland ranks second in male life expectancy, and fourth in female life expectancy. Citizens of this European nation are universally required to buy health insurance from private insurance companies. In Switzerland, male life expectancy is 81 years and female life expectancy is 85 years.

3) Australia (Overall life expectancy: 83 years)

Australia introduced universal healthcare in 1975. Male life expectancy is 81 years and female life expectancy is 85 years in Australia. Total expenditure on health is around 9.8 percent of GDP. Healthcare is provided by both government and private institutions. Australia ranks second in male life expectancy, and fourth in female life expectancy.

2) Andorra (Overall life expectancy: 83 years)

Women live longer than men in this sovereign landlocked microstate. Male life expectancy is 79 years and female life expectancy is 86 years. Andorra ranks fifteenth in male life expectancy and second in female life expectancy. Andorra provides healthcare to all employed persons and their families.

1) Japan (Overall life expectancy: 84 years)

Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world. The land of the rising sun ranks first in female life expectancy and fifth in male life expectancy. Japan’s healthcare system is the envy of the world. The Japanese spend half as much on healthcare as do Americans, but still they live longer. Healthcare is provided by national and local governments. Since 1973 all elderly citizens have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Male life expectancy is 80 years and female life expectancy is 87 years.

Overall life expectancy in Iceland, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden is also 82 years. These numbers reflect the quality of healthcare in the nations listed, and also other factors like obesity, wars and diseases. Healthcare policies of these nations are worth emulation.