Gender longevity gap and socioeconomic indicators in developed countries

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain relations between socioeconomic factors and gender longevity gap and to test a number of contradicting theories. Design/methodology/approach Fixed effects models are used for cross-country panel data analysis. Findings The authors show that in developed countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and European Union) a lower gender longevity gap is associated with a higher real GDP per capita, a higher level of urbanization, lower income inequality, lower per capita alcohol consumption and a better ecological environment. An increase in women’s aggregate unemployment rate and a decline in men’s unemployment are associated with a higher gap in life expectancies. There is also some evidence that the effect of the share of women in parliaments has a U-shape; it has a better descriptive efficiency if taken with a four-year lag, which approximately corresponds to the length of political cycles. Research limitations/implications Findings are valid only for developed countries. Practical implications The findings are important for policy discussions, such as designs of pension schemes, gender-based taxation, ecological, urban, health and labor policy. Social implications The factors that increase male and female longevities also reduce the gender longevity gap. Originality/value The results contradict to a number of studies for developing countries, which show that lower economic development and greater women discrimination result in a lower gender longevity gap. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2019-0082

Patterns in age and cause of death contribution to the sex gap in life expectancy: a comparison among ten countries

“…These further analyzes could provide a more accurate understanding of the epidemiological changes that are leading to variations in lifespan, considering a large and comprehensive set of causes of death. Finally, previous studies of the sex gap in life expectancy have emphasized the importance of social conditions and social change (Fedotenkov & Derkachev, 2019;Luy & Gast, 2014;Mondal & Shitan, 2014;Rogers et al, 2010;Tarkiainen et al, 2012;Thorslund et al, 2013;Trias-Llimós & Janssen, 2018). Hence, future studies should put emphasis on the impact of a broad range of modifiable life style factors and avoidable mortality to understand the ongoing shifts in cause-specific sex gaps in life expectancy, their compression or dispersion, as well as the scope for future improvements.…”

Impact of Income on Life Expectancy: A Challenge for the Pension Policy

“…However, poor health caused by it can apply to both genders in a similar way. Furthermore, Fedotenkov and Derkachev (2019) showed that more work reduces life expectancy. But, according to our study, more work means higher pension and for men it probably could balance the negative effects of work on health and life expectancy.…”

“…However, to date, the impact of income differentiation on further life expectancy in terms of gender has not been finally determined. Fedotenkov and Derkachev (2019), for example, show that higher income increases life expectancy both for males and females; however, males' life expectancy is affected to a larger extent. The literature indicates that women could live longer because of men's lifestyles (Cockerham 1997).…”