Immigration is one of the defining features of today’s globalized world, and health outcomes among immigrant populations are an important indicator of social well-being, healthcare access, and lifestyle adaptation. This article examines the healthiest immigrant populations in the world, ranked by life expectancy. Life expectancy is widely used as a summary measure of overall population health, reflecting long-term outcomes influenced by diet, healthcare systems, living conditions, and social support. By focusing on immigrant groups, this analysis highlights how cultural habits and health behaviors persist even after migration, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
Understanding which immigrant populations enjoy the longest lives matters globally because migration is increasing across all continents. Governments and health planners closely study immigrant health patterns to design inclusive healthcare systems and preventive strategies. For individuals, these rankings also shed light on how lifestyle choices and cultural practices can influence long-term health outcomes, even when people settle far from their countries of origin.
Life expectancy data for immigrant populations is typically derived from national health statistics, census records, and mortality registries in destination countries. These figures reflect the average number of years a person from a specific immigrant group is expected to live under current conditions. Rankings are influenced by multiple factors, including dietary habits, physical activity, smoking rates, access to preventive care, and socioeconomic stability. In many cases, immigrants initially show better health outcomes than native populations, a pattern often referred to as the “healthy immigrant effect.” Over time, these advantages may narrow, but strong cultural health practices can sustain high life expectancy levels for decades.
Top 10 Healthiest Immigrant Populations in the World 2026
- Japanese immigrants: 84.6 years
- Hong Kong immigrants: 84.3 years
- Singaporean immigrants: 83.9 years
- South Korean immigrants: 83.6 years
- Swiss immigrants: 83.4 years
- Spanish immigrants: 83.2 years
- Italian immigrants: 83.1 years
- Icelandic immigrants: 82.9 years
- Australian immigrants: 82.8 years
- Israeli immigrants: 82.6 years
The top 10 rankings are dominated by immigrant populations originating from countries known for strong healthcare systems and health-conscious lifestyles. Japanese immigrants lead the list with the highest life expectancy, reflecting dietary patterns rich in fish, vegetables, and low processed foods. Close behind are immigrants from Hong Kong and Singapore, regions that combine advanced healthcare access with active urban lifestyles. European immigrant groups such as Swiss, Spanish, and Italian populations also perform exceptionally well, benefiting from balanced diets and preventive healthcare cultures. The narrow range of values among the top 10 highlights how consistently strong health outcomes are shared across these groups, rather than being driven by a single outlier.
Full Data Table
| # | Immigrant group | Life expectancy (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japanese immigrants | 84.6 |
| 2 | Hong Kong immigrants | 84.3 |
| 3 | Singaporean immigrants | 83.9 |
| 4 | South Korean immigrants | 83.6 |
| 5 | Swiss immigrants | 83.4 |
| 6 | Spanish immigrants | 83.2 |
| 7 | Italian immigrants | 83.1 |
| 8 | Icelandic immigrants | 82.9 |
| 9 | Australian immigrants | 82.8 |
| 10 | Israeli immigrants | 82.6 |
| 11 | Swedish immigrants | 82.5 |
| 12 | Norwegian immigrants | 82.4 |
| 13 | French immigrants | 82.3 |
| 14 | Canadian immigrants | 82.2 |
| 15 | Dutch immigrants | 82.1 |
| 16 | New Zealand immigrants | 82 |
| 17 | Austrian immigrants | 81.9 |
| 18 | German immigrants | 81.8 |
| 19 | Finnish immigrants | 81.7 |
| 20 | Danish immigrants | 81.6 |
| 21 | Irish immigrants | 81.5 |
| 22 | Belgian immigrants | 81.4 |
| 23 | Portuguese immigrants | 81.3 |
| 24 | Greek immigrants | 81.2 |
| 25 | Maltese immigrants | 81.1 |
| 26 | Czech immigrants | 80.9 |
| 27 | Slovenian immigrants | 80.8 |
| 28 | Estonian immigrants | 80.7 |
| 29 | Chilean immigrants | 80.6 |
| 30 | Costa Rican immigrants | 80.5 |
Key Points
- East Asian immigrant populations consistently rank at the top for life expectancy, indicating strong long-term health habits.
- European immigrants dominate the middle and upper tiers, showing stable and reliable health outcomes across regions.
- Life expectancy differences between ranks are relatively small, suggesting broadly similar health standards among top groups.
- Countries with strong preventive healthcare traditions tend to produce healthier immigrant populations.
- Diet and lifestyle appear to play a major role alongside access to quality healthcare.
- Immigrant groups from smaller, high-income nations often achieve higher life expectancy than those from larger countries.
- The overall ranking reflects cultural continuity in health behaviors even after migration.
Overall, the healthiest immigrant populations in the world demonstrate how long-term health outcomes are shaped by a combination of culture, lifestyle, and access to care. The data shows that immigrants from regions with balanced diets, active living, and strong public health systems continue to enjoy high life expectancy after migration. As global mobility increases, understanding these patterns becomes increasingly important for designing effective health policies and inclusive healthcare services. Looking ahead, continued monitoring of immigrant health trends will help governments adapt to changing demographics while promoting healthier lives for all communities.
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