Highly educated men and women live longer

Gap in life expectancy at age 30 by sex and education level across OECD countries, 2012

There have been huge gains in life expectancy across OECD countries over the past decades, but large disparities remain across socio-economic groups. In all countries, the richest and the most educated are in better health and live longer. At age 30, women with the highest level of education can expect to live four years longer than those with the lowest level of education on average across OECD countries, while the gap reaches almost eight years between the most educated and least educated men. Differences in life expectancy by education level are particularly large in Central European countries, especially among men. This is largely explained by the greater prevalence of risk factors among men, including greater tobacco and alcohol use. 

Note: The figures show the gap in the expected years of life remaining at age 30 between adults with the highest level ("tertiary education") and the lowest level ("below upper secondary education") of education. 

Note: The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.