Women’s faces rated more attractive even by other women, study finds
A recent study has found that women's faces are rated as more attractive than men's, even by other women. This 'gender attractiveness gap' is observed across various cultures and diminishes with age, nearly disappearing by the time individuals reach their 80s. The research, which analyzed over 1.5 million ratings from 17,000 faces, suggests that structural differences in facial features contribute to these perceptions of attractiveness.
- ▪The study compiled the world's largest dataset on facial attractiveness from 52 studies across 76 countries.
- ▪On average, female faces are rated more attractive than about 60% of male faces.
- ▪The attractiveness gap diminishes with age, vanishing around 80 years old.
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The research gathered together the world’s largest dataset on facial attractiveness, drawing on 52 studies in 76 countries. Photograph: Michele Piacquadio/AlamyView image in fullscreenThe research gathered together the world’s largest dataset on facial attractiveness, drawing on 52 studies in 76 countries. Photograph: Michele Piacquadio/AlamyWomenWomen’s faces rated more attractive even by other women, study finds‘Gender attractiveness gap’ appears across cultures and over centuries but difference fades away with ageIan Sample Science editorTue 26 May 2026 19.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWomen’s faces are rated as more attractive than men’s, even by other women, but the perceived gap declines with age and all but vanishes by the time people reach their 80s, researchers have…
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