Life Expectancy and Its Determinants in Selected European Union (EU) and Non-EU Countries in the Mediterranean Region

Irina Alexandra Georgescu, Adela Bâra () and Simona-Vasilica Oprea
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Irina Alexandra Georgescu: Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Adela Bâra: Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Simona-Vasilica Oprea: Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-28

Abstract: In the Mediterranean region, countries grapple with a mix of environmental pressures, such as air pollution and climate vulnerability, alongside economic disparities and migration issues. In this context, we aim to highlight the interaction between migration (NMIG), economic growth (GDP), foreign direct investments (FDI), fossil fuel (FF) usage, consumption from renewables (RENC), CO 2 emissions, and life expectancy (LE). This is important for gaining insights into how policies in areas like energy, environment, migration, and FDI influence long-term health outcomes. Our research examines the determinants of LE in two groups of Mediterranean countries (EU-Med8 and Non-EU-Med4) using a panel ARDL approach. The long-run results for Med8 indicate that RENC positively influences LE, while FF has a significant negative effect. Economic growth and migration also play important roles, with GDP positively affecting LE. The error correction term (ECT) confirms convergence toward long-run equilibrium. For Med4, FF consumption and CO 2 negatively affect LE, while migration and FDI exhibit mixed results. These findings suggest that while renewable energy transitions benefit LE in EU Mediterranean countries, challenges persist in non-EU countries, where energy infrastructure and investment patterns may not yet support positive health outcomes.

Keywords: life expectancy; migration; foreign investments; pollution; economic growth; panel ARDL (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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