A study on the sex difference in mortality in China.

Analysis of gender differences in mortality and life expectancy in China is based on national and provincial life tables constructed from age-specific mortality data from the 1990 census. The underreporting of female infant mortality is viewed as reducing the gender gap in life expectancy at birth. Orthogonal regression techniques are used to determine regional gender differences. Findings indicate that female mortality rates were lower than male rates across the country and in individual regions. Female life expectancy was 3.2 years higher than male life expectancy. During 1981-90 the average life expectancy increased from 66.4 to 67.7 years among males and from 69.4 to 70.9 years for females. For each additional year in the combined life expectancy of both genders, the female life expectancy increased by an average of 0.2 years more than the male average increased. Life expectancy at birth was higher for females in all regions. Differences ranged from 5-6 years in Hainan and Guangdong provinces to 1 year in Xinjiang and Gansu provinces. The extent of sex differences in mortality and the average life expectancy in a region did not correspond completely to sex differences in mortality. The sex difference in mortality was related to the age-specific sex difference in mortality. Tibet had the lowest life expectancy and the highest sex differences in mortality. Hainan had one of the highest life expectancies and one of the highest sex differences. The geographic pattern of mortality reflected smaller gender differences in mortality in western and northern China and differences that favored women in the south. Female mortality was lower at most ages with the exception of infants. Female mortality was lower at elderly ages compared to elderly men. Reproductive age mortality dropped dramatically during 1982-90 compared to male mortality declines. During 1982-90 female infant mortality increased.