Health across Generations in Europe. The role of Age, Gender, and Education

Abstract Health inequalities among older adults remain a major concern in ageing European populations. While shaped by age, gender, and education, how these health inequalities evolve across generations is less clear. This study examines six European birth cohorts from age 50 to advanced old age using 18 years of longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Poor self-perceived health (SPH) and multimorbidity (three or more chronic conditions) were analysed using multivariate logistic models. Results show health improvements among younger cohorts, and evidence of morbidity compression in midlife and early old age. Gender health gaps have narrowed across cohorts, indicating an improvement; however, educational inequalities persist, with higher-educated individuals consistently enjoying better health. These findings reveal the persistence of social inequalities, highlighting the importance of monitoring cohort-specific health trajectories, and provide evidence to support targeted health policies, educational interventions, and resource planning for Europe’s ageing populations.