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Medical experts have explained why women consistently outlive men across the world, attributing the trend to a combination of biological advantages, healthier lifestyle patterns, stronger health-seeking behaviour and social factors that influence survival rates from childhood to old age.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), global life expectancy currently stands at about 76.4 years for women and 71.2 years for men, leaving a gender gap of between four and five years in most countries, including Nigeria.
Statistics from the United Nations Population Division also show that life expectancy in Nigeria has improved significantly over the past two decades, rising from 47 years in 2000 to 55 years in 2024, representing an increase of more than 17 per cent.
In 2000, Nigerian women were expected to live for about 48 years compared to 46 years for men. By 2024, women’s life expectancy had increased to 55 years, while men’s rose to 54 years. Experts say the national average could climb to 56 years by 2030 if healthcare and living conditions continue to improve.
Speaking on the issue, Consultant Pathologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Francis Faduyile, explained that the difference in life expectancy is linked to several interconnected medical, behavioural and social realities.
According to him, apart from maternal mortality during childbirth, men generally record higher death rates across nearly every stage of life.
Faduyile said societal expectations often place heavier physical, emotional and economic burdens on men, exposing them to higher levels of stress and dangerous situations.
“Men go out more to fend for their families. They travel farther and are on the road more often, and road traffic accidents remain one of the major causes of death in Nigeria,” he explained.
He added that many men are culturally conditioned to suppress emotional stress rather than seek support, increasing their vulnerability to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes.
“Women can withstand higher blood pressure levels than men. A man at 240 mmHg is at risk of a fatal crisis,” he stated.
The professor also noted that many elderly men experience social isolation as they age, while women often remain actively connected to family and community life through caregiving roles, social interactions and support networks.
“Women living longer doesn’t mean men aren’t ageing. It means more men are dying younger,” Faduyile stressed.
Also speaking, Public Health Consultant and General Physician, Joseph Ekiyor, explained that women’s longevity advantage begins from birth due to biological and genetic factors.
According to him, women possess two X chromosomes, which provide stronger genetic protection and lower the risk of inherited diseases and developmental disorders.
“Women are less likely to develop genetic disorders, and that reduces the likelihood of disability and early death,” Ekiyor said.
He also explained that male children are generally more vulnerable to common childhood illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases, increasing mortality risks among boys at an early age.
Ekiyor further highlighted the protective role of estrogen, the primary female hormone, which helps shield women from cardiovascular diseases during much of their adult lives.
“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and estrogen gives women a protective advantage. Women who eventually develop heart disease tend to do so at older ages than men,” he explained.
The physician added that men are statistically more likely to engage in risky behaviours, including dangerous driving, substance abuse, violence and high-risk occupations, all of which contribute to lower life expectancy.
“Men are more likely to die from road accidents, violence, suicide and substance abuse,” he said.
Another major factor identified by experts is poor health-seeking behaviour among men. According to Ekiyor, many men avoid hospitals and delay medical checkups until illnesses become severe and difficult to treat.
“A woman feels something slightly wrong and goes to the hospital. Men wait until complications develop, and many complications are irreversible,” he noted.
Health experts say women generally access preventive healthcare services more frequently, including routine screenings, antenatal care and early medical consultations, giving them better chances of detecting and managing chronic illnesses before complications arise.
Despite improvements in healthcare globally, experts believe the life expectancy gap between men and women may persist unless governments and health institutions adopt stronger male-focused health interventions and address harmful social expectations surrounding masculinity and emotional expression.
They advised men to prioritise regular medical checkups, adopt healthier diets, reduce alcohol and substance abuse, manage stress effectively, exercise regularly and seek help early when symptoms appear.
Experts conclude that women tend to live longer not because of a single biological factor, but because of a combination of genetics, hormonal protection, social support systems, healthier behavioural patterns and greater willingness to seek medical care early.
