Women live longer than men across the world and scientists have by and large linked the sex differences in longevity with biological foundation to survival.
Biological differences also help to explain women's higher longevity. Scientists believe that estrogen in women combats conditions such as heart disease by helping reduce circulatory levels of harmful cholesterol. Women are also thought to have stronger immune systems than men.
In the U.S. and other developed countries, life expectancy at birth for women is four to six years longer than the equivalent figure for men. Recent evidence suggests that this has not always been the case, however.
Women's life expectancy was 79 years in the U.S. in 2021, while men's was about 73, according to CDC data.
In almost all countries across the world, women outlive men1 and male mortality is higher for almost all primary causes of death. The female superiority in longevity is true not only for humans, but also for many other species of mammals.
Married men and married women live, on average, two years longer than their unmarried counterparts. One reason for this longevity benefit is the influence of marital partners on healthy behaviors. Study after study shows that married people eat better and are less likely to smoke and drink excessively.
Women on average report more pain when compared to men, and there seem to be more painful conditions where women exhibit a greater prevalence than where men do. Sex differences in pain vary according to age, with many differences occurring during the reproductive years.
Japanese life expectancy
The healthy life expectancy of the Japanese, 74.8 years, is also higher than in Canada (73.2 years). The higher life expectancy of Japanese people is mainly due to fewer deaths from ischemic heart disease and cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer.
Research does find neurobiological differences in the experience of compassion. Women may at times have higher levels of oxytocin—sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone” because it is linked to bonding, social connection, and monogamy.
Women whose mothers live up to the age of 90 are more likely to have increased lifespan, without suffering from any serious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, a study has found.
The testosterone hormone plays a big role in weakening heart muscles and making men more vulnerable to heart diseases. Men are 50 per cent more likely to die from heart disease than women. In comparison, the estrogen hormone protects women from heart failure.
A new study from the American College of Cardiology,1 which was published on February 23, 2023, found that married men are more likely to live a longer life.
Women around the world report higher levels of life satisfaction than men, but at the same time report more daily stress. And while this finding holds across countries on average, it does not hold in countries where gender rights are compromised, as in much of the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
Much research has shown that women are more empathic than men. Yet, women and men are equally forgiving. However, it is not clear whether empathy is more important to forgiveness for men or for women.
Brain research
In numerous studies females score higher than males in standard tests of emotion recognition, social sensitivity and empathy.
Asian people have the longest average life expectancy (83.5 years) and American Indian/Alaska Natives the shortest (65.2 years).
Food prices are substantially higher in Japan, but the traditional Japanese dietary habits, although changing, are also healthier. The Japanese are also far more physically active than Americans, but not because they do more planned physical exercise. They walk more as part of their daily lives.
However, when it comes to health, men are biologically weaker. Men are more likely to experience chronic health conditions earlier than women and have shorter lives. In almost all countries around the world, women outlive men.
Recent studies have shown that women have a better immune system against infections than men. This is due to the genetic structural difference. This genetic structure is known as microRNAs.
By gender, 56.2 percent of married men said they were “very happy,” compared with only 39.4 percent of unmarried men who said so. Among women, the figure dropped to 44.9 percent and 35.4 percent respectively.
Increases Life Expectancy
Research suggests that married people in particular, but also those involved in healthy social relationships, typically live longer. The benefits of these relationships can even lower your risk of having a heart attack, developing certain types of cancer, and becoming infected with pneumonia.
The longest marriage recorded (although not officially recognized) is a granite wedding anniversary (90 years) between Karam and Kartari Chand, who both lived in the United Kingdom, but were married in India.
Experts say these are all milestones many men are likely to have passed by the age of 37 and could explain why it is the 'age of happiness'.
In short, the happiest men are those who derive pleasure from their work. This point is spot on across all aspects of wellbeing, such as emotional, physical and mental satisfaction. And, it doesn't all come down to dollars and cents.