Poll Shows Tel Aviv Among ‘Healthier’ Cities

If you’re concerned about a healthy lifestyle, you’re better off living in Tel Aviv than in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or any other American city other than San Francisco. According to a survey of 89 cities worldwide by Spotahome, which offers shared apartment rentals worldwide, Tel Aviv is the 42nd healthiest city to live in worldwide. Only slightly “healthier” was London, which came in 40th. San Francisco, the only American city to beat out Tel Aviv, was in 34th place, while the top five healthiest cities to live in were Amsterdam, Oslo, Rotterdam, Munich and Berlin.

The ratings were based on components such as the quality (based on customer ratings) of gyms and workout centers, number of days of sunshine (which encourages outdoor exercise), life expectancy, obesity rates, number of vacation days, green spaces, and number of fast food outlets (the more available fast food, the less healthy a city).

Tel Aviv scored in the top ten ratings in sunshine (6th place) and life expectancy (7th), and 13th place in gym quality. It also scored in the top 20 of least obese cities, and in the top ten of least number of fast food places – both considered positive for a healthy rating. However, the city scored relatively poorly – in 60th place – for “life-work balance,” which Spotahome defines as the number of employees who work at least 50 hours per week.

A recent poll taken on behalf of the Prima Hotel chain by the Roschniak Institute shows that about half of Israeli workers do not utilize their full array of vacation days – with some 54 percent of Israeli workers taking just three vacation days in 2017, and 20 percent not taking even one vacation day. According to OECD figures, Israelis work on average for more hours than their colleagues in other countries. Israelis work an average of 1,858 hours a year, compared to the OECD average of 1,766 hours annually. However, the figures show, Israeli worker productivity is below the OECD average.