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Recessions and mortality: A global perspective

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  • Doerr, Sebastian
  • Hofmann, Boris

Abstract

Using panel data covering 180 countries over six decades, this paper shows that recessions are systematically associated with higher mortality rates in poorer countries. During years when GDP falls, death rates, in particular child mortality rates, rise in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), while they remain unaffected or even fall in advanced economies. We further find that the scarring effects of recessions in EMDEs persist for several years and that deeper recessions lead to larger increases in mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Doerr, Sebastian & Hofmann, Boris, 2022. "Recessions and mortality: A global perspective," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:220:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522003342
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110860
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    Cited by:

    1. Phurichai Rungcharoenkitkul, 2021. "Macroeconomic effects of COVID‐19: A mid‐term review," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 439-458, October.
    2. Prados de la Escosura, Leandro, 2023. "Health, income, and the preston curve: A long view," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    3. Bietenbeck, Jan & Sunde, Uwe & Thiemann, Petra, 2023. "Recession Experiences during Early Adulthood Shape Prosocial Attitudes Later in Life," IZA Discussion Papers 16490, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crisis; Recession; Mortality; Child mortality; Economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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