Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in Kerala: A Disaggregated Analysis by Rural and Urban Regions
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Abstract
Background: Life expectancy is a key public health metric, often influenced by demographic, geographic, and socio-economic factors. Kerala, known for its high health indicators, still faces unexplored disparities in longevity across gender and residence.
Objective: To assess rural-urban and gender-based disparities in life expectancy in Kerala from 2018 to 2022 using official mortality data.
Methods: The study utilized death registration datasets from five consecutive years, cleaned and processed. Mean age at death was calculated as a proxy for life expectancy, with subgroup analysis by gender and residence. Statistical testing (t-test and ANOVA) was conducted to evaluate significance of observed disparities.
Results: Urban residents consistently exhibited higher mean age at death compared to rural residents, and females outlived males by an average of 3.5 years. All subgroup differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). A decline in 2020 reflected COVID-19 impact, followed by recovery.
Conclusion: Despite Kerala’s health achievements, significant disparities in life expectancy persist across gender and geography. Data-driven insights from this study can guide targeted, equity-focused public health interventions.