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Gender differences in life expectancy at birth in Greece 1994–2017

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  • Konstantinos N. Zafeiris

    (Democritus University of Thrace)

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the difference in life expectancy at birth between females and males in the Greek population between the years 1994–2017. After constructing life tables per gender, we used the method of Arriaga in order to decompose life expectancy’s differences by age and sex. We found that the gender gap increased until 2009 and decreased afterwards. Moreover, we estimated the differential contribution of the broad age groups of the population to the regulation of gender inequalities in longevity and studied the different effect of the causes of death. Besides age, the most important regulators are the neoplasms and the diseases of the circulatory system, followed by the external causes of morbidity and mortality, as well as the diseases of the respiratory system. All other causes of death play a marginal role. The results of the analysis indicate the need for the development and expansion of several public interventions and programs in order, not only to reduce the gender inequalities in longevity, but also to reduce the prevalence of several preventable diseases in the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Konstantinos N. Zafeiris, 2020. "Gender differences in life expectancy at birth in Greece 1994–2017," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 73-89, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:joprea:v:37:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s12546-019-09239-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12546-019-09239-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Fletcher, Jason M. & Topping, Michael & Joo, Won-tak, 2023. "Trends in the Female Longevity Advantage of 19th-Century Birth Cohorts: Exploring the Role of Place and Fertility," IZA Discussion Papers 16018, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Konstantinos N. Zafeiris, 2023. "Greece since the 1960s: the mortality transition revisited: a joinpoint regression analysis," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 1-31, March.

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