mind & bodyanalysisOur World in Data

Women outlive men in almost every country, and the gap has shifted over time

the gist

Across the world, women tend to live longer than men, and this gap is one of the most consistent patterns in human demography. Biology plays a part, since women have two X chromosomes and oestrogen seems to protect the heart in earlier life. Behaviour matters too, as men take more risks, smoke and drink more, and die more often in accidents and violence. The size of the gap has changed a lot over time and between countries.

so what

Understanding the gap helps health systems target the causes of early male death, from heart disease to injuries. It also shows that life expectancy depends on social conditions as much as on biology.

Our World in Data · CC BY 4.0

Image: Our World in Data, CC BY 4.0