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The effect of marital status on life expectancy: Is cohabitation as protective as marriage?

Author

Listed:
  • Anne G. BALTER

    (Department of Econometrics and Operations Research, Tilburg University and Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging and Retirement (Netspar), The Netherlands)

  • Dorethe S. BJERRE

    (Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University)

  • Malene KALLESTRUP-LAMB

    (Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University and Pension Research Center (PeRCent), Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

It is well-known that marital status is an important predictor for life expectancy. However, non-married individuals are often misclassified as singles which ignores the heterogeneity within the group. This paper shows the importance of distinguishing between types of singles, and in particular whether they are cohabiting, when predicting life expectancies. We use unique and detailed longitudinal register data to track marital status throughout the individual's lifetime. We find that all types of singles consistently benefit from living with a spouse, i.e., after divorce, becoming widower or being never married. This result holds for both men and women. For certain types of cohabiting singles we reject significant differences in life expectancy compared to married individuals. Finally, we use a case study to show that, like married individuals, all types of singles that cohabit also serve as informal caregivers and have the potential to limit the end-of-life long-term care expenditure levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne G. BALTER & Dorethe S. BJERRE & Malene KALLESTRUP-LAMB, 2023. "The effect of marital status on life expectancy: Is cohabitation as protective as marriage?," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 89(3), pages 373-394, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:89:y:2023:i:3:p:373-394
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2023.10
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cohabitation; Health expanditure; Life expectations; Longevity; Marital status; Mortality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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