Conscious nutrition by everyone, a State that spends the resources allocated to healthcare well, ad hoc national programs. Thus Singapore has become a global example for living well, for a long time
Live as much as possible. In a world where longevity has become an obsession, there is a place that promises to offer a long life to its inhabitants. It is Singapore, a city-state in South-East Asia, which in just 800 square kilometers of surface area (half the size of the province of Milan) is home to 6 million people (almost double the size of the province of Milan) with a per capita income of more than 90 thousand dollars (almost three times the capital of Lombardy).
This distant Bengodi is a true laboratory of “urban longevity” where it is impossible – while walking through the Orchard Road shopping street or in the more traditional Kreta Ayer Road in Chinatown – not to come across crowds of lively seventy-year-olds intent on practicing gentle gymnastics in the early morning or in the afternoon Tai chi (an ancient Chinese martial art which is like a “meditation in movement”: slow movements coordinated with the deep breathing). In this city that has been working since the 1960s to integrate greenery into the social fabric, today 19.9 percent of citizens are 65 years old or older, and demographic projections indicate that by 2030 this will reach 23.9 percent. One in four people.
«In Singapore there is heavy investment in science and technology for longevity: biotechnology, personalized medicine, artificial intelligence for early diagnosis and prevention» explains Vincenzo Sorrentino, associate professor at the National University of Singapore at the Center for healthy longevity. «This is associated with a rigorous implementation of public policies ranging from alcohol and tobacco taxation to urban planning. Compared to Japan, where longevity is rooted in cultural traditions, or the United States, where it remains tied to inequalities and individual lifestyles, Singapore represents an intentionally designed model.”
The updated plan revolves around three pillars: Care, Contribution, Connectedness (English is the most widespread language in the country), i.e. care, contribution and connection. The aim is to maintain physical functions, social networks and active participation for as long as possible. However, medicine aimed at slowing down aging is also central. In 2023, Alexandra hospital inaugurated the Center for healthy longevity, responsible for conducting clinical trials not to increase lifespan (the total years lived), but to implement the healthspan (i.e. the years of life spent in good health) by five years.
«In addition to clinical innovation» continues Sorrentino «Singapore has worked concretely on the urban environment, proposing infrastructural updates, community places and a gentle transformation of existing spaces».
At the center of the planning are Active aging centres, communities where elderly people can enter freely to participate in recreational, social and support activities. The aim is to involve over 550 thousand participants by aiming for a more welcoming and stimulating urban context.
Work also plays an important role. According to Amro Asia, 67 percent of Singaporeans between the ages of 60 and 64 and 50 percent between the ages of 65 and 69 are employed: one of the highest rates internationally. And it brings extreme benefits for the population. «In Singapore» says Sorrentino «we talk about longevity as an ecosystem. The focus is not only on the body or the genome, but also on the exposome, that is, the set of all environmental factors (chemical, physical, biological) to which we are exposed from conception.”
However, talking about Eldorado’s longevity is premature. «Singapore is a new reality that is emerging, a sort of Blue zone 2.0 in an urban format» reflects Gianni Pes of the University of Sassari, a luminary who first developed the concept of “Blue zones”, geographical areas where life expectancy is higher. «It is an example of how economic prosperity and the improvement of social and health conditions can make a difference. The city builds its results thanks to specific policies, starting from a design of the urban environment aimed at encouraging physical activity and social interaction”. The data speaks for itself: in 2024, life expectancy in Singapore was around 83.5 years, one of the highest in the world. Today, according to the latest official government report, women in Singapore live on average to 85.6 years, men 81.2 years. «There is a clear link with the social and economic well-being of the country» explains Andrea Corriga, a cultural operator who has been working on longevity for twenty years. «The Singapore government has invested enormously in health education, creating a culture in which prevention and treatment have become priorities. Furthermore, abundant access to foods considered healthy and the adoption of more balanced lifestyles contribute to collective well-being.”
“It must also be said that prosperity has a direct impact on psychological well-being, as it reduces stress related to poverty and improves educational and professional opportunities,” continues Professor Pes. «The country spends around 6 percent of GDP on healthcare (in Italy it is almost 9, ed.), but in a highly efficient way. Then there is Medisave, a national mandatory savings program: every month part of the salary – from 8 to 10.5 percent – is allocated to the treatment account, which is useful for any type of healthcare. It is one of the key tools to ensure that all citizens access high-quality services, reducing the risk of preventable diseases.”
In short, Singapore’s recipe is as ambitious as it is complex, where literacy also plays a central role (with one of the highest rates in the world, 99 percent). «Cultural education plays a fundamental role in promoting healthy lifestyles, balanced nutrition and disease prevention. The high awareness of health among the population contributes to reducing the rates of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes”, comments Corriga. “The Singaporean diet, which combines Asian and Western influences, is generally balanced and includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and nutrient-rich dishes. The city also has a food culture that promotes the consumption of fresh and local dishes.”
Another interesting data is provided by the Global Happiness Index, an annual publication that classifies countries based on the degree of subjective well-being of the population: Singapore is one of the happiest nations, with a strong sense of community and social support, aspects that are strongly linked to longevity.
«In summary, the city represents an emblematic example of how economic prosperity can be a powerful driver for living longer» concludes Pes. «The combination of a highly developed healthcare system, a highly educated and health-conscious population, supportive policies for seniors and a high quality of life is creating an environment in which people not only live longer, but also enjoy healthy and active lives. These factors highlight how a “Blue zone 2.0″ can emerge in an urban and prosperous context, unlike traditional Blue zones, which are based on simpler and more traditional lifestyles.” An example for the whole world.
