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The Military VSL

Author

Listed:
  • Kniesner, Thomas J.

    (Claremont Graduate University)

  • Sullivan, Ryan

    (Naval Postgraduate School)

  • Viscusi, W. Kip

    (Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

Our research reviews theory and empirical evidence in the economics literature and provides a standard value of a statistical life (VSL) applicable to the Department of Defense (DOD). We follow Viscusi (2018a) by conducting a meta-analysis consisting of 1,025 VSL estimates from 68 different labor market studies and find a best-set average VSL estimate of $11.8 million (US$2021) across all studies. For DOD analysts and practitioners, we advocate using our best-set VSL estimate for the vast majority of benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) within the DOD. In addition to providing a VSL benchmark to use in DOD BCAs, we also breakdown casualty types and provide a range of VSL estimates to use in sensitivity analyses. Employing restricted data from the DOD on over 6,700 U.S. military fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001 to 2021 we show that (1) fatalities are highly concentrated among young, white, and enlisted males, and that (2) fatality rates in the Army and Marines are in contrast to the low number of fatalities (less than 5%) in the Air Force and Navy. Applying standard VSL pay grade and income adjustments to U.S. military fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq, we find adjusted VSL estimates ranging in value from $3.2 million to $27.6 million per statistical life (US$2021).

Suggested Citation

  • Kniesner, Thomas J. & Sullivan, Ryan & Viscusi, W. Kip, 2024. "The Military VSL," IZA Discussion Papers 17441, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    military; DOD; VSL;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J17 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Value of Life; Foregone Income
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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