In 2023, the PLOS Global Public Health journal published a global study that found that women and men are both more likely to live longer in countries with greater gender equality. According to a decade-long study, every 10% leap in gender equality corresponded with higher life expectancy: On average, women lived 3.6 years longer and men lived 2.9 years longer.
In a press release from The George Institute for Global Health and Imperial College London, lead researcher Cat Pinho-Gomes said that the roots of gender inequality still run deep in many countries.
“Many of the factors that determine how long you will live — like working and living conditions, exposure to pollution, access to health care, education, income, and social support — are layered with gender differences around the world,” explained Pinho-Gomes.
The extensive study — developed by the World Economic Forum — gathered data from 156 countries from 2010 until 2021. Researchers compared relative life expectancies in men and women to the modified global gender gap index, which quantifies gender parity across four dimensions: economic participation, educational opportunity, political empowerment, and physical wellness.
Above all factors, Pinho-Gomes said the leading correlation to life expectancy for men and women was gender equality in education.
“This suggests investing in education is paramount, particularly in low and middle-income countries, where many girls are still denied access to education and resources are limited,” added Pinho-Gomes.
Although Pinho-Gomes cautioned that the data did vary considerably between geographical regions, the conclusion remained the same in every country: When women are treated equally, everyone benefits.
“As countries make greater progress towards gender equality and women are afforded the opportunity to participate more fully in political, economic, and social life, the whole of society reaps the rewards,” said Pinho-Gomes.
A version of this article originally appeared in the 2024 Gender Edition of the Goodnewspaper
Header image via Diego Montalvan
