For decades, women have had a longer life expectancy than men, with the figures reaching a peak during the 1970s when women were expected to live six years longer. But now, with more men undertaking regular exercise and looking after their appearance, the gap appears to be closing.
There's good news for women too though. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that life expectancy has increased for both sexes, with men now expected to reach the age of 79, and women 83. As the difference continues to decrease, men look set to catch up by 2030, where the life expectancy for both men and women will be 87.
Healthier lifestyles, better working conditions and a decline in the number of men who smoke are thought to have contributed to the results.
The results are based on males and females aged 30 as opposed to newborns, so the figure is not representative of males and females born today. This is because boys are more likely than girls to die during their first year, as proven by scientists from the University of Southern California in 2008. The age of 30 was decided upon as males are more likely to take up risky extreme sports or be involved in accidents in their formative years.
Speaking to bbc.co.uk about the results, Professor Les Mayhew who advised the ONS explained: "What's interesting at the moment is that in the last 20 years or so, male life expectancy at 30 has jumped by about 6 years and if it jumps by the same amount in the next 20 years it will converge with female life expectancy."