Today's 65-year-olds in Greece are living longer but in worse health, with the country recording a limitation in increasing life expectancy due to serious health problems in old age.
The average 65-year-old Greek has poor health, characterised by increased weight, insufficient physical activity, at least two years of illness, and large gaps in their health monitoring. They are expected to live longer in the coming years, but not with quality health.
The above profile is outlined by the report of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), "Health at a Glance: Europe 2024," which states that in Greece:
- 20% of adults are obese.
- Only 15% of people over 65 get enough exercise.
- Socio-economic inequalities exacerbate the situation, with the less affluent facing greater health problems.
The impact of the above becomes even more noticeable if the European Union (EU) 's aging population is considered.
According to estimates, the percentage of Europeans aged over 65 will reach 30% by 2050, up from 21% today. Greece, Italy, and Portugal will have the highest percentages.
Although Greece's life expectancy, at 81.1 years, was slightly below the EU average (81.5), it diverges from other states' progress in healthy life years.
Two or more chronic diseases accompany more than 50% after 65 compared to 40% on average in the EU. The main diseases include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer (with an increased prevalence due to aging).
Healthy aging and disabilities
The Healthy Life Years (HLY) index, which measures the number of years a person can expect to live without severe health limitations, is a critical indicator.
In Europe, healthy life expectancy for both sexes was around 62.6 years in 2022, with little difference between men and women.
Compared to other countries, Greece shows improved life expectancy levels, but not as high as Western European countries such as Spain and Italy, where life expectancy and healthy life years are among the highest in the EU.
As the table below shows, in contrast to most EU countries, disabled life years exceeded healthy life years at age 65 over the period 2005 – 2022.
In particular, years of life with disability they were increased from 8.7 to 10.6, while years of healthy life decreased from 10.1 to 8.8.
3rd in Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia are important factors for the health of the elderly in Europe, especially in Greece, where the population is among the oldest in the EU.
In terms of the prevalence of dementia in people over 70, Greece is in third place, together with Belgium. At the European Union level, it is estimated that 9% of the population over 70 has dementia, with the percentage increasing dramatically in the over 80s.
In 2021, almost 8 million people were estimated to be living with dementia in the EU. Advanced age is the most important risk factor, with the rate of dementia rising from 3% in 70-74-year-olds to 18% for people over 80.
Apart from neurological impairment, other main causes of disability for older Europeans are falls, diabetes, arthritis, depression and anxiety, stroke and heart attack, cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
In Greece, cardiovascular diseases remain among the main causes of mortality.
No health check
Greece was ranked second in terms of neglecting medical and dental checks.
The findings of a recent review by the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) on "Social Inequalities in Health - Sociological Approaches, Research Findings and Policy Recommendations” showed, among other things, that:
- Good health increases with income, with 94% of people earning over €3,001 a month reporting 'good' or 'very good' health.
- The rates of chronic diseases were many times higher in people with lower education, three times higher than those who had completed higher education.
- People from higher social classes carry out preventive examinations at a higher rate, with the differences being more pronounced in cancer prevention.
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