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Inequalities of income and inequalities of longevity: a cross-country study

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  • Neumayer, Eric
  • Plümper, Thomas

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the effects of market income inequality (income inequality before taxes and transfers) and income redistribution via taxes and transfers on inequality in longevity. Methods. Life tables were used to compute Gini coefficients of longevity inequality for all individuals and for individuals that survived at least to the age of ten. Longevity inequality was regressed on market income inequality and income redistribution controlling for a range of potential confounders in a cross-sectional time-series sample of up to 28 predominantly Western developed countries and up to 37 years. Results. Income inequality before taxes and transfers is positively associated with inequality in the number of years lived, while income redistribution (the difference between market income inequality and income inequality after taxes and transfers have been accounted for) is negatively associated with longevity inequality in our sample. Conclusions. To the extent that our estimated effects based on observational data are causal, governments can reduce inequality in the number of years lived not only via public health policies, but also via their influence on market income inequality and the redistribution of incomes from the relatively rich to the relatively poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Neumayer, Eric & Plümper, Thomas, 2016. "Inequalities of income and inequalities of longevity: a cross-country study," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64174, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:64174
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/64174/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Braveman, P.A. & Cubbin, C. & Egerter, S. & Williams, D.R. & Pamuk, E., 2010. "Socioeconomic disparities in health in the united States: What the patterns tell us," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(S1), pages 186-196.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rob Clark & Kara Snawder, 2020. "A Cross-National Analysis of Lifespan Inequality, 1950–2015: Examining the Distribution of Mortality Within Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 148(3), pages 705-732, April.
    2. Jan Delhey & Leonie C. Steckermeier, 2020. "Social Ills in Rich Countries: New Evidence on Levels, Causes, and Mediators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 87-125, May.
    3. Pereira, Diogo Santos & Marques, António Cardoso & Fuinhas, José Alberto, 2019. "Are renewables affecting income distribution and increasing the risk of household poverty?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 791-803.
    4. Ruhai Bai & Junxiang Wei & Ruopeng An & Yan Li & Laura Collett & Shaonong Dang & Wanyue Dong & Duolao Wang & Zeping Fang & Yaling Zhao & Youfa Wang, 2018. "Trends in Life Expectancy and Its Association with Economic Factors in the Belt and Road Countries—Evidence from 2000–2014," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Sulhi Ridzuan, 2024. "Income redistribution and carbon emissions in Portugal," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 23(3), pages 421-437, September.
    6. Keivan Diakite & Pierre Devolder, 2021. "Progressive Pension Formula and Life Expectancy Heterogeneity," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-19, July.
    7. Nguyen Cong Thang & Vo The Anh & Pham Ngoc Thach & Do Thanh Trung & Vo Hong Duc, 2021. "Gender-Based Attitudes toward Income Inequality in the Asia-Pacific Region," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(1), pages 123-137, January.

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