SEOUL, March 22 (Korea Bizwire) – Bloomberg’s latest Healthiest Country Index revealed that Italians, famous for their love of fresh vegetables, seafood and quality olive oil, are the healthiest people in the world.
Of the 164 countries in the index from Bloomberg, Italians topped the list with the highest score of 93.11 out of 100. South Korea nabbed 24th place with a score of 82.06, Italian media including Corriere della Sera reported yesterday.
Despite a long recession and a high youth unemployment rate, Bloomberg noted that the great number of doctors in the country contribute to keeping Italian people healthy.
Italy’s Minister of Health Beatrice Lorenzin said Italians’ healthy diet and optimistic lifestyle as well as their national health service all played a role in getting the title of healthiest country on the planet.
Iceland came second (91.21), followed closely by Switzerland (90.75).
Singapore was the healthiest Asian country according to the newly published Bloomberg Index, ranking fourth, while Japan ranked 7th.
The comprehensive health study takes account life expectancy, access to clean water, and common medical problems such as obesity, smoking and nutrition imbalance and compares the state of health by country in numerical terms.
France garnered 14th place with a health score of 85.59 and Germany came in 16th place (84.78). The U.S. ranked 34th.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)