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Determinants of life expectancy in most polluted countries: Exploring the effect of environmental degradation

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  • Mohammad Mafizur Rahman
  • Rezwanul Rana
  • Rasheda Khanam

Abstract

Background: Better understanding of the determinants of national life expectancy is crucial for economic development, as a healthy nation is a prerequisite for a wealthy nation. Many socioeconomic, nutritional, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors can influence a nation’s health and longevity. Environmental degradation is one of the critical determinants of life expectancy, which is still under-researched, as the literature suggests. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the determinants of life expectancy in 31 world’s most polluted countries with particular attention on environmental degradation using the World Bank annual data and British Petroleum data over the period of 18 years (2000–2017). Methods: The empirical investigation is based on the model of Preston Curve, where panel corrected standard errors (PCSE) and feasible general least square (FGLS) estimates are employed to explore the long-run effects. Pairwise Granger causality test is also used to have short-run causality among the variables of interest, taking into account the cross-sectional dependence test and other essential diagnostic tests. Results: The results confirm the existence of the Preston Curve, implying the positive effect of economic growth on life expectancy. Environmental degradation is found as a threat while health expenditure, clean water and improved sanitation affect the life expectancy positively in the sample countries. The causality test results reveal one-way causality from carbon emissions to life expectancy and bidirectional causalities between drinking water and life expectancy and sanitation and life expectancy. Conclusion: Our results reveal that environmental degradation is a threat to having improved life expectancy in our sample countries. Based on the results of this study, we recommend that: (1) policy marker of these countries should adopt policies that will reduce carbon emissions and thus will improve public health and productivity; (2) environment-friendly technologies and resources, such as renewable energy, should be used in the production process; (3) healthcare expenditure on a national budget should be increased; and (4) clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities must be ensured for all people.

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  • Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Rezwanul Rana & Rasheda Khanam, 2022. "Determinants of life expectancy in most polluted countries: Exploring the effect of environmental degradation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0262802
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262802
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    2. Hervé Kaffo Fotio & René Marcel Gouenet & Pauline Ngo Tedga, 2024. "Beyond the direct effect of economic growth on child mortality in Sub‐Saharan Africa: does environmental degradation matter?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 588-607, February.
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    5. Emon Kalyan Chowdhury & Rupam Chowdhury, 2024. "Role of Financial Inclusion in Human Development: Evidence from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 3329-3354, March.
    6. Ijaz Uddin & Muhammad Azam Khan & Muhammad Tariq & Farah Khan & Zilakat Khan Malik, 2024. "Revisiting the determinants of life expectancy in Asia—exploring the role of institutional quality, financial development, and environmental degradation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 11289-11309, May.
    7. Chunyan Liu & Muneeb Ahmad & Ali Altalbe, 2024. "Anthropological responses to environmental challenges in SAARC nations: A comparative analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, February.
    8. Bekhzod Kuziboev & Zoi Zografou & Olimjon Saidmamatov & Sanat Chupanov, 2024. "The Nexus Between Remittances, Natural Resources, Economic Growth, Healthcare and Environmental Sustainability In CIS Countries," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 419-425, March.
    9. Cristina CAUTISANU & Mariana HATMANU, 2024. "THE IMPACT OF CO2 AND HFCs EMISSIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH IN THE EU27 COUNTRIES," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 33(1), pages 19-27, July.
    10. Feng Wang & Seemab Gillani & Daniel Balsalobre‐Lorente & Muhammad Nouman Shafiq & Khush Dil Khan, 2025. "Environmental degradation in South Asia: Implications for child health and the role of institutional quality and globalization," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 399-415, February.

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