MPIDR Working Paper

Statistical inference for discrete-time multistate models: asymptotic covariance matrices, partial age ranges, and group contrasts

MPIDR Working Paper WP-2023-041, 33 pages.
Rostock, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (November 2023)
Open Access
Reproducible

Abstract

This paper lays out several new asymptotic inference results for discrete-time multistate models. First, it derives asymptotic covariance matrices for the outcome statistics of conditional and/or state expectancies, mean age at first entry, and lifetime risk. It then discusses group comparisons of these outcome measures, which require the calculation of a joint covariance matrix of two or more results. Finally, new procedures are presented for the estimation of multistate models over a partial age range, and how these subrange calculations relate to the result that is obtained from the full age range of the model. All newly derived expressions are compared against bootstrap results in order to verify correctness of results and to assess performance.

Keywords: multi-state life tables, statistical analysis
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.