THE BIG QUESTION: WHY DO WOMEN LIVE LONGER THAN MEN?

The evidence is resounding. Across all cultures, countries, income levels and wealth brackets, women outlive men. Typically, women live five years longer, with the widest life expectancy gender gap being in eastern Europe, where women survive men by an average of 10 years.

But in some countries, this gap is now getting bigger. During the pandemic, the UK life expectancy gender gap rose from 3.7 years to 4.1 according to the ONS. In the US, the gap recently increased to a record high of 6 years since the 1990s.

What are the reasons behind this growing trend? The answer still puzzles scientists, but there are some indications of what might be responsible. Sex hormones in women, such as oestrogen, have been linked to greater longevity. Women also tend to have stronger immune systems, with research showing older women have a far greater resilience to infections than older men. Interestingly, these findings are consistent across many other mammals.

For humans, lifestyle factors also feed into the picture. Women have been found to be less likely to smoke or drink heavily — both of which are significantly correlated with mortality. And, particularly in their later years, women are more likely to socialise — a factor that has been found to significantly increase life expectancy for both sexes. Men are also more likely to take more risks.

Wealth and income don’t seem to have a large impact on the gender life expectancy gap, but they do help people to live longer. In the UK, for example, the wealthiest bracket are likely to live nine years longer than poorer groups. This finding is broadly consistent across the sexes.

So, what do you think is the driving force of the widening gender longevity gap: biology, lifestyle or wealth? Tell us your views by voting in our poll or commenting below the line.

2025-02-28T05:09:17Z