Both men and women aged 65 are expected to live almost nine more years in a healthy condition, according to figures published by the European Union's statistical service Eurostat.
The data issued last week shows that women at the age of 65 in the European Union in 2010 were expected to live a further 8.8 years in a healthy condition. For men, the figure was 8.7 years. Eurostat defines 'healthy condition' as the absence of limitations in functioning/disability.
This compares to actual life expectancy for those aged 65. In 2010, Eurostat estimated this at 21 years for women and 17.4 years for men in the 27 EU countries.
Eurostat noted, however, that member states with the highest life expectancy at age 65 were not necessarily the same as those with the most healthy life years at 65. In 10 member states, men had a higher number of healthy life years than women, even though in all member states women's life expectancy was higher.
The longest life expectancy for women at 65 was recorded by France (23.4 years), with Spain (22.7 years) and Italy (22.1 years) also figuring. For men the table was again topped by France (18.9 years) and Spain (18.6 years), followed by Greece (18.5 years).
At the bottom of the table, Bulgaria had the shortest life expectancy for women aged 65 (17 years) and Latvia had the shortest for men (13.3 years).
Those aged 65 in Sweden in 2010 could expect the most healthy life years. Swedish women could expect another 15.5 years of healthy life, and men could expect another 14.1 years. Women aged 65 in the UK could expect another 11.8 years of healthy life and men could expect another 10.8 years - ranking the country fifth out of 27 for both genders.
