Why do women live longer?

Women live longer than men in almost every part of the world. But is biology the only reason behind this difference? Many factors, from health habits to invisible care work, shape our lifespan. Perhaps the real issue is not just living longer, but how healthy we are during those years.
When you tell a man, “We’re going on vacation, pack your bags,” what kind of organization comes to mind? Is two pairs of pants, three shirts, and a toothbrush enough? Or does a comprehensive operation begin, encompassing everything from the weather to dinner, medications to chargers, passports to the children’s needs?

And then there’s that famous question asked when leaving the house: “Did we take everything?” It’s as important who knows the answer as it is who asks the question.

If there’s an invisible project manager in the family, they’ve most likely thought of every detail of the trip. Moreover, this organization has neither a budget nor performance bonuses. If things go smoothly, nobody notices; if something is forgotten, the person responsible is immediately found.

So, what could be the connection between packing a suitcase and women living longer than men? Of course, women packing their suitcases doesn’t give them an extra five years. However, this small everyday scene opens a worthwhile door to understanding women’s lives. Because life isn’t just about biology. How we live, the risks we take, how much importance we give to our health, and how we share responsibilities also affect our lifespan.

The statistics are quite clear: Women live longer than men in almost every part of the world. But the magnitude of this difference varies from country to country. So, what gives women these extra years? Is it genes, hormones, lifestyle habits? Or is it that men sometimes neglect their own health, while women prioritize the needs of others over their own?

The answer is more complex than we anticipated.

Women are at the forefront both in the world and in Türkiye.

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, published in The Lancet, life expectancy at birth worldwide in 2023 was 76.3 years for women and 71.5 years for men. This means women had an average life expectancy advantage of 4.8 years. A similar picture exists in Türkiye. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) life tables for the period 2023-2025, life expectancy at birth for women was 81.1 years, and for men it was 75.9 years. The difference is 5.2 years.

In other words, women in Türkiye not only live longer than men; the life expectancy of both sexes is above the 2023 predictions of the aforementioned global study. The difference between women and men is also slightly higher than the world average.

The global research I shared above covers the year 2023, while the data for Türkiye covers the period 2023-2025. Therefore, this comparison shows a general trend, not a direct measurement of the same year.

What’s really interesting is that this difference varies greatly between countries. In some countries, the life expectancy difference between women and men is limited to a few years, while in some countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, it can reach double digits. This tells us something important: we cannot explain women’s longer lifespans solely by biology. Since genetic traits don’t change so rapidly from country to country, living conditions, behaviors, healthcare systems, and societal factors must also be a significant part of the story.

Genes or habits?

There is strong scientific evidence that biology plays a role in women’s longer lifespans. Differences in sex chromosomes, hormones, and the functioning of the immune system are among the primary factors. The two X chromosomes found in women can provide an advantage in certain genetic traits. Estrogen can also have protective effects on vascular health during certain periods of life. However, these effects vary depending on age and physiological conditions; there is no magic shield protecting women from all diseases.

Biology is important, but it’s not sufficient on its own. Certain life-threatening risks that men face more frequently can widen the life expectancy gap. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, traffic accidents, dangerous working conditions, and violence. We also know that men are exposed to greater physical risks in certain professions. Society’s expectation that men be strong, fearless, resilient, and able to solve their problems independently can also influence their health-related behavior. Sometimes asking for help is perceived as a sign of weakness. Yet, the human body is not an opponent we have to prove our resilience against!

The fact that the life expectancy gap between women and men is much larger in some countries also supports this point. In some countries where male mortality rates are high, factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, violence, and war can play a significant role. In Türkiye, it is also necessary to closely examine the causes of death for men, workplace safety conditions, and preventable health risks. Nevertheless, the basic conclusion is clear: part of a long life is in our genes, and a significant part is hidden in how we live our lives.

Why do men delay going to the doctor?

Do these sentences sound familiar to you? “I’m fine,” “It’ll pass if I rest a bit,” “Is this the time to go to the doctor?”

Some men may ignore health problems, disregard symptoms, or postpone doctor visits. Of course, this behavior isn’t true for all men. However, the ways in which they access healthcare and their health-seeking behaviors can differ between genders. Interestingly, we all know how important risk management is in economic life. Companies monitor their investments, examine their financial indicators, and take precautions against potential problems. In contrast, when it comes to our own health, we sometimes leave our most important asset unchecked for years. Yet, going for a health check-up is a form of risk management. Early detection of diseases can increase treatment options in many cases. Access to preventive healthcare and regular check-ups are important for both quality of life and the effective use of healthcare resources.

Here, one of the fundamental questions of health economics arises: How much do we spend on treatment after a disease has developed, and how much do we invest in preventing diseases and detecting risks early? The answer to this question has given rise to the “longevity” movement, a concept focused on staying healthy and young worldwide. Ultimately, increasing men’s lifespan requires not only new treatments but also a change in habits that normalize neglecting their health.

Of course, not every preventative measure guarantees cost savings in every situation. However, helping people protect their health is part of an effective strategy that can prevent more serious illnesses and care needs. This is becoming a guiding principle in modern health insurance.

The invisible labor behind the suitcase.

Now let’s go back to the suitcase. Packing clothes when preparing for a trip is the visible part. Thinking about the weather, anticipating needs beforehand, completing any missing items, and organizing everyone’s preparations often remain invisible.

The same is true for daily life. Planning meals, organizing shopping, keeping track of children’s school needs, organizing care for elderly family members, remembering appointments, and keeping the household running… all of these things combined require a significant amount of time and mental effort.

The Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) 2025 Time Use Survey reveals striking results regarding the distribution of labor in Türkiye. According to the survey, women aged 15 and over spend an average of 4 hours and 3 minutes a day on household and family care, while men spend only 58 minutes. A similar inequality exists globally. According to current data from 92 countries included in the United Nations’ 2025 World Social Report, women spend an average of 4.2 hours a day on unpaid housework and care, while men spend only 1.7 hours.

These statistics cannot be interpreted as a direct cause of women living longer. However, they open an important window into understanding women’s living conditions. Because constantly keeping up with the needs of others can make it easier to put one’s own needs second. A woman who remembers her husband’s health appointment may postpone her own check-up. She may skip her own meal while planning her child’s nutrition. While considering the needs of everyone in the family, she may not find time for herself.

These things don’t apply to every woman. Moreover, there are different ways of sharing responsibilities within the family. However, at the societal level, women taking on more unpaid labor is a significant issue affecting their time and economic opportunities. 

Therefore, to understand the longevity of women’s lives, we must look not only at how many years they lived, but also at the conditions in which they spent those years.

To live longer or to live healthier?

It’s a positive development that women are living longer. However, one detail shouldn’t be overlooked: living a long life and living a healthy life are not the same thing.

According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data for the period 2023-2025, life expectancy at birth in Türkiye is 81.1 years for women and 75.9 years for men. In contrast, healthy life expectancy at birth is calculated as 59.1 years for men and 56.9 years for women. This means that although women have a longer life expectancy, the time they are expected to spend without a health problem that restricts their daily activities is shorter than that of men. Careful interpretation of these indicators is necessary. Healthy life expectancy does not refer to the number of years a person is completely free from disease, but rather the expected time, according to a specific health status criterion, without problems that restrict their daily activities.

If women are living longer, how healthy, independent, and active are they being able to be during those years? Managing chronic diseases in old age, maintaining mobility, preserving social relationships, and accessing care services when needed are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, health policies need to focus not only on extending life expectancy but also on increasing the number of healthy years lived. From a health economics perspective, the main goal is to help them live as many years as possible in a healthy, independent, and high-quality manner. 

Where does artificial intelligence fit into this story?

Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities in healthcare. But it’s not just about faster diagnosis or more advanced devices. Clinically validated AI systems can help assess disease risks, personalize health monitoring, and plan healthcare more effectively. For example, systems that leverage health data can help identify individuals who need closer monitoring for specific diseases. Digital tools can make it easier for people to track their check-ups. Healthcare systems can also evaluate which interventions yield better results and how resources can be used more effectively.

Another important issue regarding women’s health is the inadequate representation of women in the data used. Underrepresentation of women in medical research or in the training of artificial intelligence systems can lead to overlooking how certain diseases manifest or progress in women. The benefit of technology depends on proper design, scientific validation, data quality, and people’s access to healthcare. The real opportunity lies in integrating artificial intelligence into a human-centered healthcare system. 

The goal should not be simply to have people who live longer; it should be about having people who have timely access to healthcare, can manage their disease risks, and can remain as independent as possible in their later years.

Perhaps the issue isn’t who packed the suitcase…

The answer to why women live longer isn’t found in a single place. It lies in biological differences, risk-taking behaviors, how they access healthcare, working conditions, and how social life is organized…

So let’s get to the point… Who’s packing your suitcase? If your answer is mostly your wife, your mother, or another woman in your life, then ask a different question: How much time does that person dedicate to their own health, rest, exercise, and living for themselves? Perhaps the secret to a longer life isn’t just in better genes, more advanced medicines, or smarter technology. Perhaps it lies in how we share the burdens of life.

Living a long life can be a privilege. But being able to live those years healthy, independent, and feeling a sense of belonging is both an individual and a societal achievement. And sometimes, the first step to that achievement can be as simple as realizing who packed the suitcase.

Have a good trip, both for business and leisure, and for your medical journey.