Linking Changes in Inequality in Life Expectancy and Mortality: Evidence from Denmark and the United States

Gordon B. Dahl, Claus Thustrup Kreiner, Torben Heien Nielsen, Benjamin Ly Serena

Research output: Working paperResearch

Abstract

We decompose 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 half of the recent rise in life expectancy inequality in the US and the entire rise in Denmark. Cardiovascular mortality declines favored the poor, but differences in lifestyle-related survivability led inequality to rise.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages60
Publication statusPublished - 2020
SeriesCEPR Discussion Paper Series
NumberDP14983

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