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Does job loss shorten life?

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  • Eliason, Marcus

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

  • Storrie, Donald

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

This paper examines the causal effect of job loss on overall and cause-specific mortality. Using linked employer-employee register data, we identified the job losses due to all establishment closures in Sweden in 1987 and 1988. Hence, we have extended the case study approach, which has dominated the plant closure literature, and also been able to remedy most weaknesses associated with previous studies. We found that the overall mortality risk for men was increased by 44 percent during the first four years following job loss. For women and in the longer run we found no effects. The short-run excess mortality was mainly attributed to increased risk of suicides and alcohol-related causes of death. For both sexes, the increase in suicides was about twofold for both men and women, while the increase in alcohol-related causes of death was somewhat less.

Suggested Citation

  • Eliason, Marcus & Storrie, Donald, 2004. "Does job loss shorten life?," Working Papers in Economics 153, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics, revised 17 Sep 2007.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0153
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2077/7313
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Plant closure; displaced workers; mortality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings

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