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Sigma and beta convergence in regional mortality: A case study of the Netherlands

Author

Listed:
  • Fanny Janssen

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Leo van Wissen

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Joop de Beer

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Anthe van den Hende

    (Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS))

Abstract

Background: For allocation of health budgets it is important to know whether regional mortality differences tend to decline or to increase. Sigma convergence tests can measure whether the dispersion of the regional distribution of mortality has declined. Beta convergence tests can examine whether regions with a low level of life expectancy have experienced a stronger increase than regions with a high level. In demographic research, however, sigma and beta convergence have not been formally assessed simultaneously. Objective: We demonstrate the application of both sigma and beta convergence tests to the study of trends in regional mortality differences for the Netherlands. Methods: Using all-cause mortality and population data for 40 Dutch NUTS-3 regions, by year (1988‒2009), age group, and sex, we assess both sigma and beta convergence, and ist significance. Results: Beta convergence proved statistically significant. The regions with the lowest life expectancy in 1988 generally exhibited the highest increase from 1988 to 2009, and vice versa. However, dispersion measures displayed no statistically significant sigma convergence. Conclusions: Whereas the absence of sigma convergence shows that regional mortality differences have not declined, beta convergence indicates that the disadvantage of regions with low life expectancy is not persistent. Contribution: We demonstrated the added value of simultaneously studying sigma convergence, beta convergence, and trajectories of regions in the tails of the distribution. Where absence of sigma convergence does not imply that disadvantaged regions did not improve, beta convergence does not always indicate complete convergence due to structural differences across regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanny Janssen & Leo van Wissen & Joop de Beer & Anthe van den Hende, 2016. "Sigma and beta convergence in regional mortality: A case study of the Netherlands," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 35(4), pages 81-116.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:35:y:2016:i:4
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2016.35.4
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    Cited by:

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    2. Andreas Kyriacou & Ronald Miranda-Lescano & Leonel Muinelo-Gallo & Oriol Roca-Sagales, 2025. "Subnational Life Expectancy Disparities in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Measurement and Determinants," Working Papers wpdea2501, Department of Applied Economics at Universitat Autonoma of Barcelona.
    3. Florian Bonnet & Hippolyte d'Albis, 2020. "Spatial Inequality in Mortality in France over the Past Two Centuries," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(1), pages 145-168, March.
    4. Gielens, Katrijn & Dekimpe, Marnik G. & Mukherjee, Anirban & Tuli, Kapil, 2023. "The future of private-label markets: A global convergence approach," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 248-267.
    5. Suryakant Yadav, 2021. "Progress of Inequality in Age at Death in India: Role of Adult Mortality," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 37(3), pages 523-550, July.
    6. Luca Maria Pesando & GFC team, 2019. "Global Family Change: Persistent Diversity with Development," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 45(1), pages 133-168, March.
    7. Gielens, Katrijn & Dekimpe, Marnik & Mukherjee, A. & Tuli, Kapil R., 2023. "The future of private-label markets: A global convergence approach," Other publications TiSEM 06f4bad4-fc32-42f4-8b7f-2, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    8. Silvia Megyesiova & Vanda Lieskovska, 2018. "Analysis of the Sustainable Development Indicators in the OECD Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Cavalieri, Marina & Ferrante, Livio, 2020. "Convergence, decentralization and spatial effects: An analysis of Italian regional health outcomes," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(2), pages 164-173.
    10. Aksan, Anna-Maria & Chakraborty, Shankha, 2023. "Life expectancy across countries: Convergence, divergence and fluctuations," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    11. Beata Gavurova & Silvia Megyesiova & Matej Hudak, 2021. "Green Growth in the OECD Countries: A Multivariate Analytical Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.
    12. Rok Hrzic & Tobias Vogt & Helmut Brand & Fanny Janssen, 2021. "The Short-Term Effects of European Integration on Mortality Convergence: A Case Study of European Union’s 2004 Enlargement," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 37(4), pages 909-931, November.

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    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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