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Coming of Age: The Hidden Health Costs of Legal Age Limits

Author

Listed:
  • Böckerman, Petri

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Haapanen, Mika

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Jepsen, Christopher

    (University College Dublin)

Abstract

Using high-quality Finnish register data and a regression discontinuity approach, we study the health effects of reaching the legal drinking ages of 18 and 20. Our results show that at age 18, when beer, wine, and car driving become legal, mortality and hospitalizations increase discontinuously, especially among men, and they are driven by alcohol and traffic-related causes. At age 20, when spirits become legal, alcohol-related deaths and accidents increase for men, and suicide risk rises for women. We also find meaningful adverse spillover effects on younger siblings. When an older sibling turns 18, their younger brothers face increases in alcohol-related mortality, traffic-related hospitalizations, and suicide attempts, while younger sisters experience more alcohol-related hospitalizations. Spillovers at age 20 are weaker but persist for younger brothers.

Suggested Citation

  • Böckerman, Petri & Haapanen, Mika & Jepsen, Christopher, 2025. "Coming of Age: The Hidden Health Costs of Legal Age Limits," IZA Discussion Papers 17924, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sibling effects; hospitalizations; mortality; legal age; drinking age; regression discontinuity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General

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