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Study Reveals Gender Gaps in Life Expectancy Perceptions Among Germans

New research shows middle-aged men overestimate and women underestimate their longevity, raising concerns about retirement security and economic risks for aging populations.

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Frauen mittleren Alters unterschätzen ihre eigene Lebenserwartung um mehrere Jahre. Dies geht aus einer Erhebung des Bundesinstituts für Bevölkerungsforschung hervor. Männer im mittleren Alter überschätzen ihre Lebenserwartung hingegen tendenziell.
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Overview

  • The Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung (BiB) study found 40–49-year-old men overestimate their life expectancy by 1.2 years, while women underestimate theirs by 3.3–5.0 years depending on assumptions.
  • These misperceptions, rooted in subjective risk perceptions like health, may lead to inadequate retirement planning, particularly for women, increasing poverty risks in old age.
  • The study compared personal longevity expectations from the German Age Survey (2008–2021) with Federal Statistical Office data, highlighting significant gender-based discrepancies.
  • Germany's demographic shift toward an aging population and rising health expenditures underscore the social and economic relevance of accurate life expectancy awareness.
  • Study co-author Andreas Mergenthaler emphasized the importance of addressing these gaps to ensure financial security for older demographics, especially as the proportion of elderly individuals grows.