Latvia has the highest preventable mortality in Europe 0 24

For the second consecutive year, the highest rate is recorded in Latvia - 498.5 preventable deaths per 100,000 residents, including 189.5 from treatable and 309.0 from preventable diseases. This amounts to nine thousand people per year. Following Latvia in these indicators are Hungary (472.7) and Romania (463.7). Latvia's rate is twice the EU average.

"In Latvia, a significant portion of society has poor health and dies prematurely. This has a substantial negative impact on the country's economy, as it means a smaller population, lower employment, lower productivity, income, and life satisfaction," notes economist of the Bank of Latvia Oleg Krasnoperov.

In all countries, mortality increases with age; however, in Latvia, the probability of dying begins to rise at a relatively early age and does so faster than in developed EU countries. For example, the probability of dying within a year in Latvia exceeds 1% at the age of 56, while in developed EU countries, it is only at 67 years. The probability of dying in the most economically active age group (30-45 years) in Latvia is three times higher than, for example, in Finland, Sweden, or Denmark. This statistic in Latvia is most influenced by cardiovascular and oncological diseases, problems with alcohol consumption, etc.

"The premature mortality of the Latvian population and relatively poor health status are the result of the interaction of several factors, such as relatively low healthcare funding, ineffective use of it, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle - high consumption of tobacco and alcohol, overweight, low intake of fruits and vegetables, insufficient physical activity, social alienation," notes Krasnoperov.