Luxembourg has emerged as a leader in several key health indicators, according to the latest Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report released by the OECD and European Commission.
The report, which is published every two years, assesses the health of citizens and performance of health systems across Europe. It places Luxembourg in a favourable position compared to European averages on multiple fronts.
Life expectancy and population health
Luxembourg has a life expectancy at birth of 83.4 years as of 2023, surpassing the European average of 81.5 years and tying with Sweden for the fourth-highest longevity in Europe.
© Photo credit: OECD’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024
Spain has the highest life expectancy in Europe at 84 years, while Bulgaria and Latvia have the lowest at 76 years.
Life expectancy witnessed a decline in Europe in 2021 and 2022 because of Covid-19, but has since then begun to bounce back, the report said.
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Luxembourg has also performed well on metrics that show health of those above 65. It reports one of the lowest proportions of people aged 65 and over experiencing poor health, limitations or chronic diseases.
Mortality rates in Luxembourg are significantly lower than the European average. In 2021, Luxembourg recorded 860 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, 20% below the European average of 1,073.
The Grand Duchy also has lower mortality rates from circulatory diseases and cancer.
Preventable and treatable mortality
Luxembourg stands out with some of the best rates in Europe for preventable and treatable mortality. In 2021, the country reported 133 preventable deaths and 55 treatable deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, both figures ranking among the lowest in Europe.
Showing wide disparities in Europe, preventable mortality was more than two times higher than the EU average in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Latvia.
Health risk factors
While Luxembourg adults performed slightly better than the European average in physical activity, overweight and obesity rates, there are areas for improvement.
Adult alcohol consumption is higher than average, and tobacco use increased between 2012 and 2020.
In 2022, the average Luxembourger consumed 11 litres of alcohol, while the EU average was 10. In addition, about 35% of adults in Luxembourg reported episodic heavy drinking, among the highest in Europe.
Tobacco use has increased in the Grand Duchy between 2012 and 2022, according to the report. While 17% of the population smoked everyday in 2012, that has now increased to 20%.
In Europe, Bulgaria has the highest rate of daily smokers at 29%, while Sweden at 9% has the lowest.
Adults in Luxembourg consume less fruit and vegetables than the EU average. About 57% of adults reported eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily, against 67% in Europe.
Healthcare spending and access
Luxembourg’s healthcare spending is among the highest in Europe, with €4,316 per capita in 2022, compared to the European average of €3,533.
The country offers good health coverage, with household healthcare expenditure representing only 1.7% of total household spending in 2022, well below the European average of 3.2%.
However, the report identifies a need to improve the interconnectivity of national databases to enhance efficiency during crises across all countries in Europe.
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Publish date : 2024-11-19 08:53:00
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