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The powerful combination of cross-country comparisons and life-history data

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  • Banks, James
  • Brugiavini, Agar
  • Pasini, Giacomo

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the value of international comparative empirical studies within the broad field of the economics of ageing. We argue the value is particularly great when such comparative research is based on long life-history data on participants, collected using large-scale autobiographical life-history methods. We identify particular aspects of such comparisons that create value relative to other empirical methods and also briefly survey recent key papers to illustrate each aspect. Finally we provide a short new application of this method, using data from SHARE and ELSA, to look at the question of how labour markets for older workers in Europe have been changing across cohorts and the extent to which this has been associated with changing retirement ages in public pension systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Banks, James & Brugiavini, Agar & Pasini, Giacomo, 2020. "The powerful combination of cross-country comparisons and life-history data," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 16(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:joecag:v:16:y:2020:i:c:s2212828x19300933
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeoa.2019.100206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Brugiavini, Agar & Weber, Guglielmo (ed.), 2014. "Longer-term Consequences of the Great Recession on the Lives of Europeans," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198708711.
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    8. Iris Kesternich & Bettina Siflinger & James P. Smith & Joachim K. Winter, 2014. "The Effects of World War II on Economic and Health Outcomes across Europe," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 96(1), pages 103-118, March.
    9. James Banks & James P. Smith, 2012. "International Comparisons in Health Economics: Evidence from Aging Studies," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 4(1), pages 57-81, July.
    10. Jonathan Gruber & David A. Wise, 1999. "Social Security and Retirement around the World," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number grub99-1.
    11. Avendano, Mauricio & Berkman, Lisa F. & Brugiavini, Agar & Pasini, Giacomo, 2015. "The long-run effect of maternity leave benefits on mental health: Evidence from European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 45-53.
    12. James Banks & Elaine Kelly & James P. Smith, 2014. "Spousal Health Effects: The Role of Selection," NBER Chapters, in: Discoveries in the Economics of Aging, pages 255-279, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Bruno Arpino & Jordi Gumà-Lao & Albert Julià, 2018. "Family histories and the demography of grandparenthood," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 39(42), pages 1105-1150.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan C. van Ours, 2022. "How Retirement Affects Mental Health, Cognitive Skills and Mortality; An Overview of Recent Empirical Evidence," De Economist, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 375-400, August.
    2. Kim, Hoolda & Mitra, Sophie, 2022. "Dynamics of health and labor income in Korea," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    3. James Banks & Carl Emmerson & David Sturrock, 2023. "Are Longer Working Lives a Response to Changing Financial Incentives? Exploiting Micro Panel Data from the UK," NBER Chapters, in: Social Security Programs and Retirement around the World: The Effects of Reforms on Retirement Behavior, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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