65-year-olds live longer without physical limitations in NL

The life expectancy for 65-year-olds has risen over the past three decades according to Statistics Netherlands. They live longer and the period, during which they define their health as good after reaching the age of 65 is also longer. The number of years spent without physical limitations is increasing. On the other hand, the period they have to deal with physical limitations is longer too.

Last year, the life expectancy of 65-year-old men was 18.3 years versus 14.3 years in 1981. Their prospects have improved relative to three decades ago. The life expectancy for 65-year-old women rose less rapidly from 18.9 years in 1981 to 21.3 in 2011, but, on average, women still become older than men.

The average life expectancy for a 65-year-old man is 18.3 years; he can expect to live nearly 11 years in good health and nearly 14 years without physical limitations. Both periods have increased since the early 1980s. The period without physical limitations has increased by 4.3 years, i.e. more than total life expectancy, but the period without chronic diseases will be shorter for the average 65-year-old man (6.9 years in 1981 versus 3.8 years in 2011). Common disorders are osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine or heart condition.