Life expectancy in Armenia reached a historic high in 2024, standing at 78.6 years, according to the Heratsi National Research Center of YSMU.

Women live on average 81.7 years, while men live 75.1 years.

The figure has increased significantly over recent decades; for example, in 2000 it stood at 72.9 years.

Armenia has become one of the leaders among former Soviet countries in life expectancy, second only to the Baltic states. Globally, the average life expectancy is about 73.3 years, with the highest figures recorded in Monaco, Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau, while the lowest are mainly in several African countries.

Experts note that lifestyle plays a major role in increasing longevity.

“If you are interested in extending your lifespan, in addition to healthy habits and avoiding harmful behaviors, another important factor is diversifying physical activity. According to recent studies, alternating activities such as walking, swimming, yoga, gardening, and pickleball can reduce the risk of death from all causes by a significant 19%.

CNN recently published findings showing that varying exercise routines can help extend life expectancy.

An international group of scientists analyzed data from two large cohort studies involving more than 110,000 participants over 30 years. Results published in BMJ Medicine in January showed that those with the greatest variety in physical activity lived the longest. Researchers found that engaging in diverse forms of activity may be more beneficial than spending more time on a single type of exercise,” the report states.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

The guidelines also recommend muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week and note that exercise variety can help prevent overuse injuries, especially important for children.

Sports medicine specialists have long encouraged children to engage in multiple sports rather than specializing early. Evidence suggests that early specialization increases injury risk, while variety leads to better health, less burnout, and greater long-term achievements.

Adults and even professional athletes are also advised to vary their routines. Changing workouts can help prevent the “plateau effect,” when progress slows because the body adapts to repetitive movements.

Although there is no strict recommendation on how many different exercises to include weekly, it is important to engage all muscle groups regularly.

This does not mean going to the gym every day. For example, those who enjoy walking can use hiking poles on alternate days to engage the arms, or combine cycling with gardening.

Even simple exercises at home or at work can benefit health. Staying active on weekends is also recommended to support recovery and maintain energy levels.