Individual Mortality and Macroeconomic Conditions from Birth to Death

Gerard van den Berg, Maarten Lindeboom () and France Portrait

No 4200, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This Paper analyses the effects of macroeconomic conditions throughout life on the individual mortality rate. We estimate flexible duration models where the individual?s mortality rate depends on current conditions, conditions earlier in life (notably during childhood), calendar time, age, individual characteristics, including individual socio-economic indicators, and interaction terms. We use individual data records from Dutch registers of birth, marriage, and death certificates, covering an observation window of unprecedented size (1812-1999). These are merged with historical data on macroeconomic and health indicators. The results indicate a strong effect of macroeconomic conditions during childhood on mortality at all ages. Those who are born in bad times on average have a high mortality rate throughout life, in particular during childhood itself and at ages above 50. Current macroeconomic conditions mostly have an effect on youths and on the elderly.

Keywords: Death; Longevity; Health; Business cycle; Recession; Life expectancy; Lifetimes; Epidemics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 J10 N30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-hea and nep-mac
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Individual Mortality and Macro-Economic Conditions from Birth to Death (2003)
Working Paper: Individual Mortality and Macro Economic Conditions from Birth to Death (2003)
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