MADRID, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 edition of Bloomberg's Healthiest Country Index shows that Spain becomes the healthiest country in the world to live.
Spain has climbed six places to No. 1 since 2017 in the ranking which looks at different factors, such as eating habits, smoking, obesity levels and the environment, that influence the quality of life of people in 169 countries.
Spain managed an overall score of 92.8 out of 100, ahead of former leader, Italy, with Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Singapore, Norway and Israel completing the top 10.
The news was welcomed by Irene Lozano, the Secretary of State for Global Spain, in a press communique published on Monday.
"We now have a new merit as "the healthiest country on the planet," commented Lozano, who praised "the magnificent health system we have despite the difficult moments we endured during the economic crisis."
Bloomberg highlights that partly thanks to the "Mediterranean diet" based on eating fish, vegetables, pulses and olive oil, Spain has the highest life expectancy in the European Union and is predicted to have the highest in the world by 2040, with the average Spanish expected to live for 86 years.
"It is spectacular to have risen six places in the classification in just two years," said the Secretary of State, adding that it was important for Spaniards "to feel proud of our achievements."
The Healthiest Country Index places other countries such as Franc in 12th place, while the UK is 19th, Portugal 22nd and Germany 23rd, while Canada is 16th and the U.S. ranks down in 35th. Haiti, Afghanistan and the Yemen are among the least healthy places to live.
