Human Life Expectancy Gap Decreases
A recent study has revealed a surprising new global trend in the life expectancy gap between men and women.
People are living longer all over the world, from regions in Africa to areas like California. However, the situation is not as straightforward as everyone living longer.
The study from Spain’s Universidad de Alcalá has revealed a global trend: the life expectancy gap between men and women is narrowing. The researchers categorized world populations into five clusters and found that each area has experienced longer life expectancies and reduced gender disparities in the last 30 years. The data also suggests that these trends will continue into the next decade.
Workplace safety improvements have led to fewer male job-related deaths. However, aspects of closing the life expectancy gap between men and women remains a challenge due to risks linked to the Y chromosome and potential non-communicable diseases. But examining data from 1990 to 2000, researchers found increased longevity in many countries.
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Grouping nations into five clusters based on mortality trends from 1990 to 2010, the study revealed rising life expectancies and decreasing male-female mortality gaps across all clusters. These positive trends are expected to continue into 2030, indicating a global shift toward improved longevity and more equal mortality rates between genders.
Africa has shown the most significant improvements in mortality indicators. Lead author Professor David Atance emphasized the worldwide growth in aging processes, even in well-performing high-income countries, albeit at a slower rate.
The lessening of the gender longevity gap, seen in both cluster and country analyses, is also attributed to the shift away from past “harmful” blue-collar lifestyles.