Old men catching up with old women

Men are increasingly enjoying more years of life after the age of 65 Keystone

The life expectancy of Swiss men is climbing at a faster rate than that of women, according to mortality statistics. Males born in the 2000s could expect to live 2.9 years longer than previous generations, while women had to make do with another 1.7 years.

Switzerland has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world, with men enjoying 80.1 years of life on average and women 84.5 years. Only Icelandic men live longer than their Swiss counterparts, although women tend to live longer in Japan, Spain, Singapore and France.

Men have been steadily closing the gap on women in terms of life expectancy in Switzerland, the Federal Statistical Office revealed on Friday. The most recent findings show the gap has reduced from 5.6 years (for the period 1998-2003) to 4.4 years (for 2008-2013).

The main factor is that men are increasingly enjoying more years of life after the age of 65, with cancer and heart disease striking less often.

The statistical office figures also revealed that marriage is the key to longevity. In both sexes, married couples lived longer than single people or divorcees.