One in two Greeks considers the ideal age they would like to reach to be over 100 years, specifically 103, as revealed by the Longevity Study of 2023 conducted by the insurance company NN.

Despite this, most Greeks estimate that they will live up to 82 years.

According to the research, 74 years old is the age at which someone is considered elderly in Greece, and 61 is the age at which people desire retirement.

Sixty-nine per cent of Greeks eagerly anticipate living longer, and 50 per cent believe they are prepared to live longer while they agree that living a long and healthy life means not only living as many years as possible but also being able to enjoy life to the fullest.

The research also highlights what contributes to a good quality of life: the power of adaptation, mental well-being, social connections, and lifelong learning.

Regarding the power of adaptation, 45 per cent believe that challenging situations provide an opportunity for growth and learning, while 41 per cent find it easy to make choices, and 32 per cent can handle the anxiety generated by uncertain situations.

Men tend to feel more comfortable in uncertain situations, with 38 per cent expressing confidence in managing anxiety compared to 27 per cent of women.

Similar percentages apply to risk-taking, with 24 per cent of men finding it an exciting process compared to 11 per cent of women.

In terms of mental well-being, one in five (19 per cent) experiences anxiety or depression most of the time.

Meanwhile, 82 per cent live within a ten-minute walk from a green space, with a positive correlation between urban environments and people’s happiness based on how close their homes are to natural surroundings.

Seventy-eight percent of Greeks seek ways to reduce stress and anxiety in order to live longer, while 22 per cent consider themselves carefree most of the time.

Over half of young people (51 per cent) find it challenging to adapt to the fast pace of modern life, while only 33 per cent of older individuals feel the same way.

At the same time, older individuals (aged 65 and above) express high levels of satisfaction with life, with 37 per cent rating their lives between 8 and 10 on a scale of 10.

Regarding social connections, one in ten feels lonely (9 per cent), with higher percentages among younger individuals and women compared to older people and men. Nevertheless, 72 per cent of Greeks feel they are part of the community they belong to, with one in three agreeing with the statement, “I enjoy striking up conversations with strangers I meet during the day.”

Regarding lifelong learning, 61 per cent of the workforce has invested significantly in developing professional skills and knowledge in the last three years, while 89 per cent constantly seek to learn new things related to their profession, and 72 per cent appreciate receiving constructive criticism.

In general, Greeks consider the following five factors crucial for a long life:

Health and well-being (60 per cent)

Finances and economic security (38 per cent)

Adaptability (34 per cent)

Having a purpose in life (33 per cent)

Retirement (23 per cent)

The research was conducted between January and February 2023 among a sample of 11,585 people, including 1,284 Greeks.

Source: AMNA