Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012

Guojun He (), Maoyong Fan (), Maigeng Zhou (), Avraham Ebenstein, Michael Greenstone and Peng Yin
Additional contact information
Guojun He: Department of Economics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Maigeng Zhou: National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Peng Yin: National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

No 2015-10, HKUST IEMS Working Paper Series from HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between income, pollution, and mortality in China from 1991-2012. Using first-difference models, we document a robust positive association between city-level GDP and life expectancy. We also find a negative association between city-level particulate air pollution exposure and life expectancy that is driven by elevated cardiorespiratory mortality rates. The results suggest that while China's unprecedented economic growth over the last two decades is associated with health improvements, pollution has served as a countervailing force.

Keywords: growth; pollution; life expectancy; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: P28 Q13 Q28 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2015-02, Revised 2015-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-env, nep-gro and nep-tra
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (85)

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Journal Article: Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012 (2015)
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