Andorra’s reputation fits with the latest report from the Census Bureau in the United States, where Andorra is cited as the greatest country in the world with a life expectancy of 82.51 years on average
Andorra has the highest life expectancy in the world
Clean air, a healthy diet and the absence of war and stress are key to the elixir of life.In the list compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), this small Pyrenean country occupies fifth position, above Spain, which is in the tenth.
Street scene in Andorra La Vella, capital of the tiny state of Andorra. Photo: The New York Times
Andorrans is pleased with the conclusions of the U.S. Census but expressed little surprise. "Here we live very well, no queues, in full freedom, and when you pass the threshold of the door you're in the mountains," says Miquel Font. "And the atmosphere," emphasizes Pere Font,76. "The air we breath is life". Clara Rabassa: "the country has never been involved in a war, "and that counts in our favour in the statistics on mortality," she says. The principality apply strict criteria in the health field in the granting of residence permits and work. Many of these immigrants leave Andorra when they retire, reducing deaths in the country. The roots and the preservation of family traditions in the smaller parishes are listed as other positive factors in the life expectancy that exceeds, according to the U.S. office, those in societies like Japan. [rc]
© 2009 Barcelona Reporter
