A new report from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has found that only around one in 10 men in Switzerland have their five a day on a regular basis. The government noted that while women live healthier lives, men are happier.

Women in Switzerland healthier than men

According to its latest Health Pocket Statistics report and survey, the FSO found that only 10,7 percent of men in Switzerland ate five portions of fruit and vegetables at least five times a week, compared to 20,4 percent of women. While the “five a day” concept itself is largely a marketing strategy, the World Health Organisation note that eating at least 400 grams of fruit and veg a day lowers the risk of serious health problems like heart disease and cancer.

When it came to paying attention to diet, being obese or overweight, smoking and consuming alcohol, women in Switzerland were found to be far more likely to make healthier choices than men. The only exception is fitness, with 21,2 percent of men and 26,6 percent of women reporting that they don’t get enough exercise.

It’s perhaps unsurprising then that the study also found that life expectancy for women remains higher than for men. The FSO noted that a woman born in Switzerland in 2022 should expect to live an average of 85,4 years, compared to 81,6 years for men. Despite the difference, officials noted that average life expectancy in Switzerland is still one of the highest in the world, having increased consistently between 1990 and 2022. 

Switzerland has the third-highest healthcare expenditure in Europe

The FSO noted that unhealthier lifestyles like not eating fruit and veg lead to higher costs in healthcare and consequently higher prices for health insurance. They found that Switzerland spends 86 billion francs a year on hospitals, doctors and medicine, approximately 11,8 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). In fact, in terms of GDP, Switzerland has the third highest health expenditure in Europe.

Finally, the report found that while women in Switzerland are living healthier lives, men are marginally happier. 84,4 percent of men reported that they are happy all or most of the time, compared to 82,6 percent of women. Women were also more likely to suffer from psychological distress and depression.

For more information, check out the official report.

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