Hong Kong has long been revered for its high life expectancies, but recent data shows a shift in this trend, with Japan now surpassing the city in this respect. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and overall stress levels have played a pivotal role in reshaping the lifespan landscape of the Asian financial hub.
In 2022, women in Hong Kong were projected to live until an average of 86.8 years, closing in on their Japanese counterparts who were expected to reach 87.1 years. Concurrently, the life expectancy for men in Hong Kong stood at 80.7 years, on par with Singapore but trailing behind nations such as Sweden, Japan, and Norway.
For decades, Hong Kong was at the forefront of global longevity surveys after overtaking Japan in the early 2000s. However, recent years have witnessed a decline in physical and mental well-being among residents, influenced by factors such as social unrest and the ongoing pandemic.
A survey conducted by insurance provider Cigna Group revealed that Hong Kong residents reported lower levels of physical, mental, social, and occupational well-being compared to other markets. The city’s high cost of living and prevailing uncertainty about the future emerged as significant stressors, contributing to the deteriorating overall well-being.
Furthermore, Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the city, with Hong Kong experiencing one of the highest death rates from the virus globally. The older population, in particular, bore the brunt of the pandemic, influenced by higher-density living situations and comparatively lower vaccination rates.
Market Capital Research 