Life expectancy by standard of living: in men, 13 years of difference between the most affluent and the most modest

The more affluent we are, the higher our life expectancy. Thus, among the 5% most affluent, life expectancy at birth in men is 84.4 years, compared with 71.7 years among the poorest 5%, i.e. 13 years’ difference. In women, this gap is smaller: 8 years between the most affluent and the poorest. When an individual's standard of living is around €1,000 per month, an additional €100 are associated with a 0.9-year increase in life expectancy in men and a 0.7-year increase in women, while the gap is only 0.3 year and 0.2 year in those with a standard of living of €2,000 per month.

Women have a higher life expectancy than men (average 6 years). They in fact usually live longer than the wealthiest men: those with a living standard of 70% have a longer life expectancy than men among the 5% most affluent.

Although the most affluent people are more likely to have a degree in higher education, this only partly explains the differences in life expectancy according to standard of living. With or without a degree, the more affluent we are, the higher our life expectancy.