Greeks living a longer but not healthier life

eKathimerini — Greeks are living longer but with more health problems, a study published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority on Monday suggests.

Based on 2013 figures, the study found that women aged 65 can expect to live another 21.6 years and men 18.7, up 1.8 years for both compared to 2004. Of these years, though, the women can only expect 6.8 to be without restrictions due to health problems, 6.7 with moderate restrictions and 8 with serious ones. For men, the corresponding periods are 8, 5.7 and 5 years. So, while women may live longer, men enjoy better health.

Compared to the European Union average, 65-year-old Greeks live a bit longer but EU women enjoy 8.6 healthy years compared to Greek women’s 6.8 and European men 8.5 healthy years against Greek men’s 8.