Figures released this week by state statistics bureau SSB (Statistics Norway) show that Norwegian men continue to boost their longevity. Their average life spans increased last year by three months, to an age of 80.6 years.
The longevity of Norwegian women, meanwhile, remains stable. Their average life spans were unchanged last year, rising only by a few weeks to 84.2 years.
That means the gap is narrowing between men and women, who traditionally have outlived their husbands. Some researchers attribute that to healthier lifestyles for men and the influx of women into the work force during the past few decades. Most women in Norway now work full time outside the home and have careers, making their lifestyles more like men’s.
newsinenglish.no staff