Presents life expectancy trends, causes of death, and lifestyle factors across Poland, France, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Romania.
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Poland’s average life expectancy has returned to an upward trend, reaching about 78.6 years in 2023, though it remains three years below the EU average. Women live longer than men due to lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors; Polish women live about 82.1 years versus 74.7 years for men. While cardiovascular diseases (36.9%) and malignant tumors (24.4%) are leading causes of death, alcohol consumption is linked to 10% of premature deaths, with Poland’s mortality rate from alcohol being more than double the EU average. Lifestyle factors significantly impact longevity; for instance, men with higher education live nearly 13 years longer than those with basic education. Many preventable deaths occur before age 75 due to lifestyle choices. Health concerns in Poland include high rates of pain and mental health issues, along with widespread overweight and obesity, and a low level of physical activity compared to other EU nations.
In contrast, France has an average life expectancy exceeding the EU average (81.7 years), with higher longevity linked to education levels. Major causes of death in France are cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Despite high healthcare spending, smoking and alcohol consumption remain significant health risks. Lithuania faces rapid depopulation, with its low birth rate leading to a projected population decline by 2100. In both Lithuania and Bulgaria, cardiovascular disease is a primary cause of death, though the causes vary by gender in Lithuania. Bulgaria has one of the lowest life expectancies in the EU, attributed to poor diet, smoking rates, and limited preventive care access. Romania also struggles with high mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancers, alongside issues like air quality, unhealthy habits, and low vaccination rates.
