Although the exact reasons for female human longevity are not known, scientists have some ideas. Which contrasts with other species, such as some birds, where the males are the longest-lived, who have the advantage in life expectancy.

Statistically, women live, on average, five years longer than men globally. However, the duration of this difference varies significantly between countries, being more marked in nations such as Russia and Ukraine, BBC Mundo reports in the publication Our World in Data.

“In almost all countries, women live longer than men,” Professor Sarah Harper, director of the Oxford Institute of Population Aging, in the United Kingdom, tells the BBC.

Social factors and behavior

Tobacco and alcohol consumption among men stands out as main factors that contribute to their lower life expectancy. Additionally, risky behavior also plays a critical role, along with men's tendency to avoid medical visits.

For example, there is evidence that in Russia, a “really, really important factor is basically tobacco and alcohol use,” Harper explains, which is more common among men.

Also, around the world, men are more likely to engage in other life-limiting behaviors, and their diets tend to be less healthy.

They're still less likely to visit the doctor, Harper adds, although "married men have an advantage... because their partner usually takes them."

Men tend to do more dangerous jobs, and even “have much higher rates of deaths from traffic accidents, violence, homicide, and suicide,” he warns.

Biological differences: estrogen and testosterone

Estrogen is identified as a protector of female health, contributing to women's longevity. On the other hand, testosterone in men could be linked to risky behaviors and harmful health effects.

This, despite the fact that menopause implies a loss of this hormonal protection, which affects several biological functions. Hormone replacement therapy can mitigate some of these negative effects.

Evolutionary views on longevity

Research in other species shows that longevity varies between sexes. While in mammals females tend to live longer, the pattern is reversed in birds, suggesting that genetics and environment play significant roles.

At the same time, differences between genders in longevity are less marked in monogamous species. In contrast, in species where males compete for females, greater discrepancies are observed.

Quality of life: health and diseases

In contrast, women have a longer life expectancy, but they also face more chronic diseases and disabilities. This phenomenon highlights the importance of considering both longevity and overall health.

Experts agree that environment and lifestyles are determining factors that affect the health of both men and women, suggesting that a focus on comprehensive well-being is essential for a longer and healthier life.

Role played by genetics

Genetics does matter, but it does not alone determine how long a person lives. In general terms, recent studies place its contribution to the variation in life expectancy at around 20% to 25%, although this figure may rise when deaths due to accidents or infections are excluded and biological aging is analyzed above all, where it is estimated to be close to 50% to 55%.

Men and women

On average, women tend to live longer than men, and part of that difference has a biological and genetic component. Factors such as estrogen, the double X chromosome and better protection against certain diseases, especially cardiovascular and immunological, play a role.

throughout generations

The genetic influence on longevity does not work as a “fixed inheritance” that is repeated the same in each generation. What changes is the environment: better nutrition, vaccines, less pollution, more access to health and changes in lifestyles make the relative weight of genes appear greater or less depending on the time and the population studied.

What it means in practice

Some families transmit genetic variants that protect against diseases of aging, while others inherit a higher risk of problems such as dementia or cardiovascular disease. But even with good genetics, lifestyle is still decisive, and less favorable genetics can be partly compensated for by healthy habits and medical care.

The best way to look at it is this: Genetics marks part of the “possible range” of longevity, but environment and life decisions help determine where in that range each person ends up. In men and women, this interaction exists in both, although women usually start with an average biological advantage.