Women outweighed men at life expectancy in Bangladesh: does it mean a better quality of life?

Abstract

IntroductionMen had a higher life expectancy than women until 2000 in Bangladesh. After 2000, statistics showed that women had a higher life expectancy than men. We aimed to address whether higher life expectancy is a gain or burden (Failures of Success) for older women. MethodsWe utilised data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey-2011, Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2014, Population and Housing Census-2011, Household Income and Expenditure Survey-2010, and primary data. We calculated and estimated gender-specific different aspects of quality of life. FindingsFindings showed that the mean age at marriage was 5.8 years lower for women, while life expectancy was three years higher than men; thus, women were expected to live for 8.8 years alone. Both disabilities and morbidities were higher among women than men; hence they had lower healthy life expectancy. About 53% of women could work daily activities while 8% higher for men. Only 2.4% of women earned while almost 58% for men. Depression and loneliness were also higher among women than men. The value of the active ageing index and quality of life were also lower for women than men. ConclusionThis study overall found that there were the Failures of Success especially for older women in Bangladesh, as increasing life expectancies led them to extra years of chronic illness, economic insolvency, more anxiety and depression, and increasing misery. Therefore, sex and gender and their inherent differences should inform decision making to promote gender equity in health. The government and policymakers may intervene for quality of life, especially for women, through reducing gender stereotypes and increasing community engagement. Without considering the quality of life, healthy ageing cannot be ensured.