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The Mortality Crisis in East Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Riphahn, Regina T.

    (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Zimmermann, Klaus F.

    (University of Bonn)

Abstract

A number of studies suggest that mortality rates among East German men increased in the wake of reunification, in particular between 1989 and 1991, in some age groups by up to the thirty percent. This study first examines the developments of mortality and cause of death statistics based on detailed regional data. The results indicate that there was indeed an increase in mortality rates which cannot be dismissed as a statistical artefact. Next, the paper discusses various theories explaining mortality crises and their relevance for the case of East Germany. Based on individual-level panel data the relationship between exposure to stress and overall health is shown. Apparently, the increase in mortality can be explained by the increase in individual stress after the economic, cultural and political consequences of reunification.

Suggested Citation

  • Riphahn, Regina T. & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 1998. "The Mortality Crisis in East Germany," IZA Discussion Papers 6, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Eibich, Peter & Ziebarth, Nicolas, 2014. "Examining the Structure of Spatial Health Effects in Germany Using Hierarchical Bayes Models," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 49, pages 305-320.
    2. Bowles, David & Zuchandke, Andy, 2012. "Entwicklung eines Modells zur Bevölkerungsprojektion - Modellrechnungen zur Bevölkerungsentwicklung bis 2060," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-499, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    3. Sunnee Billingsley, 2009. "Downward mobility, unemployment and mortality," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2009-015, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    4. Irina Denisova, 2009. "Mortality in Russia: Microanalysis," Working Papers w0128, Center for Economic and Financial Research (CEFIR).
    5. Lackó, Mária, 2010. "A magyarországi rossz egészségi állapot lehetséges magyarázó tényezői. Összehasonlító makroelemzés magyar és osztrák adatok alapján, 1960-2004 [The poor health status of Hungarians: a comparative m," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(9), pages 753-778.
    6. Irina Denisova, 2010. "Adult mortality in Russia," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 18(2), pages 333-363, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    mortality; stress; transition; East Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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