Which European country has the highest vitamin D deficiency?
Austria emerged as the country with the lowest vitamin D levels, although researchers in Austria are working to raise awareness of this and encourage people to take supplements.
A large Austrian study, taking place over 20 years with almost 80,000 participants, found a link between low levels of vitamin D and a shorter lifespan.
In northern Europe, Finland, Russia and Estonia, aren’t getting enough vitamin D, at 25-50 nanomoles per litre. This may be due to their positioning in the north, meaning they get less sunlight.
Surprisingly, sunny Mediterranean countries Italy and Greece emerged as countries with relatively high levels of vitamin D deficiency.