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Understanding the Rise in Life Expectancy Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Dahl, Gordon B.

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • Kreiner, Claus Thustrup

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Nielsen, Torben Heien

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Serena, Benjamin Ly

    (University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

We provide a novel decomposition of changing gaps in life expectancy between rich and poor into differential changes in age-specific mortality rates and differences in "survivability". Declining age-specific mortality rates increases life expectancy, but the gain is small if the likelihood of living to this age is small (ex ante survivability) or if the expected remaining lifetime is short (ex post survivability). Lower survivability of the poor explains between one-third and one-half of the recent rise in life expectancy inequality in the US and the entire change in Denmark. Our analysis shows that the recent widening of mortality rates between rich and poor due to lifestyle-related diseases does not explain much of the rise in life expectancy inequality. Rather, the dramatic 50% reduction in cardiovascular deaths, which benefited both rich and poor, made initial differences in lifestyle-related mortality more consequential via survivability.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahl, Gordon B. & Kreiner, Claus Thustrup & Nielsen, Torben Heien & Serena, Benjamin Ly, 2021. "Understanding the Rise in Life Expectancy Inequality," IZA Discussion Papers 14741, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anne Case & Angus Deaton, 2017. "Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 48(1 (Spring), pages 397-476.
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    3. Anne Case & Angua Deaton, 2015. "Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century," Working Papers 15078.full.pdf, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    4. repec:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:11754-11759 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Eduardo Arriaga, 1984. "Measuring and explaining the change in life expectancies," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 21(1), pages 83-96, February.
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    2. Anam Mohammad & Delphine Roy & Maxime Tô & Todor Tochev, 2025. "How Does the Probability of Benefiting From a Disability Pension Vary With Early Career Earned Income?," Economie et Statistique / Economics and Statistics, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE), issue 546, pages 11-37.
    3. Paul Bingley & Claus Thustrup Kreiner & Benjamin Ly Serena, 2025. "Socioeconomic Inequality in Longevity: A Multidimensional Approach," CEBI working paper series 25-14, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. The Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI).
    4. Paul Bingley & Claus Thustrup Kreiner & Benjamin Ly Serena, 2025. "Socioeconomic Inequality in Longevity: A Multidimensional Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 12249, CESifo.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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