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Why do Hong Kong people live so long?

With its busy streets and bustling crowds, Hong Kong can be stressful, perhaps not ideal for healthy living? Yet Hong Kong people enjoy the highest longevity in the world. According to the latest data, the life expectancy for Hong Kong people is 82 years for men and 88 years for women, marginally topping other “Blue Zone” countries such as Japan and Italy.

Why is this the case? Maybe a little stress is good for you after all? Let’s find out! And perhaps you can experience what Hong Kong people do to lead such long lives?

Research by local academics shows that Hong Kong offers an excellent “enabling environment” for long living: it has safe streets – some of the safest in the world, along with easy access to public transportation, healthy food and public amenities, i.e. lots of green space to exercise and walk in. Other enabling factors include an excellent healthcare system that is affordable and accessible, and mild weather.

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated and convenient cities in the world. Its geography contributes to its being the world’s most vertical city, comprising clusters of dense high-rise developments dotted among a generous expanse of green spaces. Pretty much every destination is at hand, by walking the short distance to a bus stop or MTR station, via pedestrian footbridges or elevators. Whether it’s wet markets or stores, homes of friends and relatives, or nearby parks, getting there is convenient. This easy connectedness helps reduce loneliness and isolation among the elderly. Take a tram or double-decker bus or a pedestrian bridge system and mingle with the crowds.

As well as Hong Kong’s plentiful urban green spaces – parks, sitting-out areas, playgrounds, some 40 percent of its area comprises country parks where development is severely restricted. Over a hundred urban green spaces have an “elderly fitness corner” fitted with exercise equipment and spaces for the elderly to stretch and exercise. Stop by a local park and watch the locals practice tai chi, dance calisthenics, or play chess.

Most Hong Kong people’s diet is healthier than it looks, especially for the current generation of old people. They enjoy a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, meats and starches – rice, noodles or bread. It may be the modest quantities consumed, rather than any fad diet, that is the key to good health. Visit a wet market and enjoy a down-home meal at its cooked food centre.

As in other Asian cultures, Hong Kong society is founded on filial piety – respect for the elderly and taking care of them. That is important physically and psychologically. On Sundays, Chinese restaurants are packed with families of several generations sharing a dim sum lunch – bonding while eating. A dim sum lunch is a must – go to a boisterous local restaurant and you’ll quickly soak up the ambience.

The city’s looming demographic challenge? An extremely low birth rate. At 1.2 per woman, Hong Kong has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, below even other developed countries. But that’s a topic for another day.

Enjoy Hong Kong!