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December 11, 2025PLoS MedicineOpen Access

From sex differences to sex inequalities in life expectancy: A cross-country observational benchmarking analysis

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Authors

ACAngela Y. ChangUniversity of Southern DenmarkEJEmily K. JohnsonUniversity of Southern DenmarkSBSarah BolongaitaHarvard Global Health Institute

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Overview

Observational analysis reveals life expectancy disparities between sexes in multiple regions, indicating health inequities.

Key Points

  • This research aims to analyze sex inequalities in life expectancy using adjusted metrics across different countries.
  • Cross-country observational analysis
  • Introduced adjusted sex ratio as a measure of sex inequalities
  • Life expectancy analyzed at ages 0, 5, 15, 35, 50, and 70
  • Identified 'frontier' countries with the highest life expectancies for benchmarking
  • Calculated country-specific adjusted sex ratios based on frontier values.
  • Before adjustment, males had lower life expectancy than females in nearly all countries.
  • After adjustments, 13% to 33% of countries shifted from male to female disadvantage in life expectancy.
  • Majority of countries still show male disadvantages in life expectancy at all ages post-adjustment.
  • Female disadvantage is notably observed in India and many Middle Eastern and African countries.
  • Substantial male disadvantage present in Central and Eastern Europe, even after adjustments.

Cite This Study

Chang et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69401b1e2d562116f28f75behttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004828
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