Journal Article

Measuring inter-group inequalities in length of life

Shkolnikov, V. M., Valkonen, T., Begun, A. Z., Andreev, E. M.
Genus, LVII:3-4, 33–62 (2001)

Abstract

Life expectancy is rarely used to measure socio-economic inequalities in the face of death. A measurement agenda for the analysis of inter-group differentials in length of life is proposed. First, it includes a known technique for the decomposition of differences between two life expectancies. Second, it shows a simple way to transform the population weights of social groups into their weights in life expectancy. Finally, it determines summary indices of inter-group inequality in length of life. Three empirical examples analyze inequalities in length of life: by race in the USA, by socio-occupational class in Finland, and by occupational category in Russia.
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.