The effects of population health on political risk

Political risk is a significant barrier to sustainable economic development. Identifying factors that can help mitigate it is therefore essential. This study contributes to the literature by examining an often-overlooked yet important factor: population health. Specifically, we investigate whether improvements in population health can reduce political risk in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To this end, we use a new measure of health that accounts for both life expectancy and morbidity, allowing us to assess both the quality and length of life. Using panel data from 32 SSA countries (1991–2021), we find that better health conditions significantly reduce political risk. Moreover, we identify income per capita, financial development, and education as key transmission mechanisms, with education emerging as the primary channel. Extending the analysis to a global sample confirms the negative relationship between health and political risk, as well as the relevance of the identified transmission mechanisms. By highlighting the critical role of population health in reducing political risk, this study underscores that investing in population health is not only a moral duty but also a strategic necessity for sustainable economic development.