Men winning age stakes
OLD age is far easier for men to cope with than for women, according to an international study.
The research suggests older men struggle less because they are seriously ill for fewer years, wealthier and more likely to be in secure jobs.
Although women have a longer life expectancy by three years on average, they are at greater risk of disability and poor health, need long-term care and live alone in their final years.
The results show this quality of life age gap between the sexes is greatest in the Netherlands, Austria, Italy and Denmark – while smallest in Finland, Ireland, Spain, and Poland.
Using data from 18 countries, researchers created a gender-specific ageing index for wellbeing, productivity and engagement, equity and cohesion/security, all rated out of 100.
British men scored 74 for wellbeing, while women got just 61.
The UK’s overall score was 57 for men compared to 47 for women, the US was 55 for men against 47 for
women and Germany’s was 62 to 51. And the difference is expected to increase, as the number of over-65s is due to more than double from 703 million to 1.5 billion globally in 2050.
The greatest difference was in social integration, including social support and co-habitation, which favoured men by 21 points on average.
Men were more likely to have high levels of productivity, plus personal
and financial security, by an average of 10 points across the countries.
Dr Cynthia Chen, of the National University of Singapore, said: “Ageing societies reinforce the prevailing gender norms in which men continue to be allocated the majority of opportunities, resources, and social support.
“There is an urgent need to challenge the structural and policy biases that favour men.”