Spatial inequalities in infant survival at an early stage of the longevity revolution

Sebastian Kluesener, Peter Ekamper, Frans van Poppel, Ian Gregory, Siegfried Gruber, Jordi Martí-Henneberg, Luís Espinha da Silveira, Arne Solli and Isabelle Devos
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Sebastian Kluesener: Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung (BiB)
Frans van Poppel: Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI)
Ian Gregory: Lancaster University
Siegfried Gruber: Max-Planck-Institut für Demografische Forschung
Jordi Martí-Henneberg: Universitat de Lleida
Luís Espinha da Silveira: Universidade de Lisboa
Arne Solli: Universitetet i Bergen
Isabelle Devos: Ghent University

Demographic Research, 2014, vol. 30, issue 68, 1849-1864

Abstract: Background: Spatial inequalities in human development are of great concern to international organisations and national governments. Demographic indicators like the infant mortality rate are important measures for determining these inequalities. Using demographic indicators over long time periods at relatively high levels of geographical detail, we can examine the long-term continuities and changes in spatial inequalities. Objective: This paper presents the initial outcomes of a larger project that aims to analyse spatial variation in infant survival across Europe over the last 100 years. In this paper, we focus on spatial disparities in infant survival in 1910. At that time, the longevity revolution was still at an early stage. We look at general spatial variation patterns within and across countries, and discuss some of the challenges related to the comparativeness of the data. Methods: We link official infant mortality data from more than 5,000 European regions and localities for the period around 1910 to a European historical GIS of administrative boundaries. The data are analysed using descriptive spatial analysis techniques. Results: In 1910, a number of countries in northern and western Europe led the longevity revolution in Europe, with the area of low infant mortality also extending into the northwestern parts of the German Empire. Other areas with low infant mortality levels included the Belgian region of Wallonia, most parts of Switzerland, as well as central and south-western France. In eastern and southern Europe, we find significant variation within and across countries, which might stem in part from data quality problems.

Keywords: Europe; infant mortality; human development; longevity revolution; spatial inequalities; 20th century (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:30:y:2014:i:68

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2014.30.68

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