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The 1991–2004 Evolution in Life Expectancy by Educational Level in Belgium Based on Linked Census and Population Register Data

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Deboosere

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Sylvie Gadeyne

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Herman Oyen

    (Scientific Institute for Public Health)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine trends in life expectancy by educational level in Belgium and to present elements of interpretation for the observed evolution. The analysis is based on census data providing information on educational level linked to register data on mortality for the periods 1991–1994 and 2001–2004. Using exhaustive individual linked data allows to avoid selection bias and numerator–denominator bias. The trends reveal a general increase in life expectancy together with a widening social gap. Summary indices of inequality based on life expectancies show, however, a more complex pattern and point to the importance to include the shifts in population composition by educational level in an overall assessment of the evolution of inequality by educational level.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Deboosere & Sylvie Gadeyne & Herman Oyen, 2009. "The 1991–2004 Evolution in Life Expectancy by Educational Level in Belgium Based on Linked Census and Population Register Data," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 25(2), pages 175-196, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:25:y:2009:i:2:d:10.1007_s10680-008-9167-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-008-9167-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nishimura, Yukihiro & Pestieau, Pierre & Ponthiere, Gregory, 2018. "Education choices, longevity and optimal policy in a Ben-Porath economy," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 65-81.
    3. Pierre Pestieau & Gregory Ponthiere, 2014. "Policy Implications of Changing Longevity," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 60(1), pages 178-212.
    4. Díaz-Saavedra, Julián, 2023. "Heterogeneity in longevity, redistribution, and pension reform," Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(4), pages 604-639, October.
    5. Marc Luy, 2012. "Estimating Mortality Differences in Developed Countries From Survey Information on Maternal and Paternal Orphanhood," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(2), pages 607-627, May.
    6. Joan Damiens, 2020. "The impact of housing conditions on mortality in Belgium (1991–2016)," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 391-421, December.
    7. Mathieu Lefebvre & Pierre Pestieau & Gregory Ponthiere, 2013. "Measuring poverty without the Mortality Paradox," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 40(1), pages 285-316, January.
    8. Edwards, Gonzalo & Soto, Raimundo & Zurita, Felipe, 2020. "Life expectancy at retirement and income levels in Chile," Research Department working papers 1624, CAF Development Bank Of Latinamerica.
    9. A. Remund & S. Cullati & S. Sieber & C. Burton-Jeangros & M. Oris, 2019. "Longer and healthier lives for all? Successes and failures of a universal consumer-driven healthcare system, Switzerland, 1990–2014," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(8), pages 1173-1181, November.
    10. Kulhánová, Ivana & Hoffmann, Rasmus & Judge, Ken & Looman, Caspar W.N. & Eikemo, Terje A. & Bopp, Matthias & Deboosere, Patrick & Leinsalu, Mall & Martikainen, Pekka & Rychtaříková, Jitka & Wojtyniak,, 2014. "Assessing the potential impact of increased participation in higher education on mortality: Evidence from 21 European populations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 142-149.
    11. Olga Grigoriev & Gabriele Doblhammer, 2019. "Changing educational gradient in long-term care-free life expectancy among German men, 1997-2012," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, September.
    12. Iñaki Permanyer & Nathalie Scholl, 2019. "Global trends in lifespan inequality: 1950-2015," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, May.
    13. Ana C. Gómez-Ugarte & Víctor M. García-Guerrero, 2023. "Inequality Crossroads of Mortality: Socioeconomic Disparities in Life Expectancy and Life Span in Mexico Between 1990 and 2015," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-22, August.
    14. Johannes Klotz, 2010. "Convergence or divergence of educational disparities in mortality and morbidity? The evolution of life expectancy and health expectancy by educational attainment in Austria in 1981-2006," Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, vol. 8(1), pages 139-174.

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