OpinionThe secret to Hongkongers’ longevity? We walk more than anyone else in the world

Peter Kammerer says Hong Kong’s long life expectancy can’t be put down to the low smoking rate, or the resilience of the elderly generation. Rather, the reason might be all the walking people do

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An elderly woman in Kennedy Town. Hongkongers walk more than anyone else in the world. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 12:52pm, 10 Sep 2018Updated: 8:45pm, 10 Sep 2018

Why do Hongkongers live longer than anyone else? It’s a baffling question given the cramped housing, stressful living and air pollution. Yet, for the past three years, the city has topped an annual list of longevity, for both men and women. I’ve read all manner of theories as to the reason, but none is unique to Hong Kong, so here’s my guess: it’s because residents walk so much.

The latest study by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare put the average life expectancy of Hong Kong women at 87.66 years and 81.7 years for men. Japanese women were second, at 87.26 years, and Spanish women third at 85.84 years. Second and third respectively for men were Switzerland with 81.5 years and Japan at 81.09. There are no corresponding figures from international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, as Hong Kong is not a member state.

When the rankings are released each July, experts in health and lifestyle are called on to explain why Hong Kong fares so well. Among the reasons are low rates of smoking, a seafood diet, the sub-tropical climate and close family ties. The latter, through regular get-togethers for lunch or dinner, is claimed to bring happiness and curtail loneliness – which is obviously not the case for all residents.

Smoking rates in Hong Kong can’t account for the longevity; in 2015, 10.5 per cent of the population were daily smokers; compared to just 5.0 per cent in Sweden, where the life expectancy is 82.55 years. While the climate is neither too hot nor cold, the conditions are not special for the region. Seafood is widely eaten throughout East Asia, so, again, the gap isn’t so easy to fathom. Then there are those less attractive features of our city to factor in, which should surely be viewed as negatives, among them smog, excessive noise, crowds and congestion.

Smoking rates in Hong Kong may not account for longevity. Photo: SCMP

There are two theories that would seem convincing, although, again, Hong Kong is not the only place in the world that has such peculiarities. The city’s relatively small area and compact size means that a hospital and medical help are never far away. Emergency service officials pledge to have an ambulance arrive in no more than 12 minutes after a phone call has been made.