Trends in Life Expectancy and Its Association with Economic Factors in the Belt and Road Countries—Evidence from 2000–2014

Abstract

In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative in an effort to promote trade and economic collaboration. This study examined the change in life expectancy (LE) among countries along B&R and studied the impact of economic development on LE. Data from 65 B&R countries from 2000 to 2014 were compiled and analyzed. Trend of LE was examined by sex and country. Linear quantile mixed model was used to study the associations between LE and economic factors. In 2014, the average LE in all B&R countries was 69.7 years for men and 73.7 years for women. Across countries in 2014, LE for men ranged from 58.6 years in Afghanistan to 80.2 years in Israel. LE for women ranged from 61.3 years in Afghanistan to 85.9 in Singapore. GDP per capita was positively associated with longevity across B&R countries. The unemployment rate was positively associated with LE only for countries in the top LE quantiles. GDP growth rate and Inflation were negatively associated with LE for the countries in the bottom LE quantiles for men, not for women. LE increased substantially among B&R countries during 2000–2014. The influence of macroeconomic factors on LE was related to the distribution of LE.

The Relative Importance of Globalization and Public Expenditure on Life Expectancy in Europe: An Approach Based on MARS Methodology

“…Our findings related to per capita income, the third most relevant socioeconomic factor in this research, are consistent with previous literature [ 25 , 34 , 124 ]. In effect, higher per capita income affects health status improving nutrition, access to health care and working conditions.…”

“…Following previous specialized literature, we first considered two “classic” socioeconomic variables included in the empirical research referred to the determinants of health status: per capita income [ 12 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 124 ] and education [ 13 , 30 , 31 , 90 , 125 ]. Higher incomes are expected to result in better health outcomes by improving access to food, shelter and hygiene [ 25 , 34 , 124 ]. In the same way, higher levels of education are expected to improve health outcomes by supporting better decision-making abilities and increasing knowledge of preventive care behaviors [ 30 , 31 , 125 ].…”

“…Thirdly, among the socioeconomic factors , most studies in this field consider the gross domestic product (GDP), per capita income [ 12 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] or some indicators of income distribution [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Education [ 13 , 30 , 31 ], unemployment [ 32 , 33 ], inflation [ 34 ], gross capital formation [ 35 ], pollution [ 12 , 35 , 36 ], environmental quality indicator [ 37 ] and financial development [ 38 ] are other socioeconomic factors included in this type of empirical research. Additionally, it is usual to consider other specific variables restricted to government expenditures.…”

A Causal Analysis of Life Expectancy at Birth. Evidence from Spain

“…Unemployment is also analyzed [11,12,13] as a determinant of the health status of the population as a representative measure of the fluctuations of the economic cycle. Other relevant macroeconomic variables used in this type of analysis are inflation [14] and gross capital [15].…”

Gender health inequalities and economic productivity in OECD countries

“…Boachie (2017) confirmed that good health represented by life expectancy has a significant and positive impact on real GDP. Significant gender inequalities in longevity were identified and confirmed by many authors such as Bai et al (2018), Belon et al (2014), Clark and Peck (2012), Sandiford (2009) or Van Oyen et al (2010). The fact that women show more positive outcomes in life expectancy is well known (Andrade et al, 2011;Haeberer et al, 2015).…”