Work

Regional heterogeneity in the link between lifetime earnings and life expectancy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The interaction between socioeconomic status, place of residence, and life expectancy remains poorly understood. This study advances this understanding using administrative data from the German Pension Insurance combined with multiple data sources on place characteristics. I provide novel estimates for remaining life expectancy at age 65 by lifetime earnings quintiles and geographic areas (NUTS2), revealing substantial heterogeneity in the link between lifetime earnings and life expectancy across NUTS2 regions in West Germany. Subsequently, I conduct a correlational analysis differentiated by socioeconomic status to investigate which place factors are associated with longevity and examine whether the interaction has changed over time. Strikingly, the correlations between place factors and life expectancy are largely homogeneous in magnitude and direction for individuals at the top and the bottom of the lifetime earnings distribution. Furthermore, I find suggestive evidence that the importance of place for the life expectancy of low-income individuals has decreased over time.

Source: Journal of Demographic Economics

DOI: 10.1017/dem.2026.10015

Author: Rick Glaubitz

Institutions: University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Freie Universität Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550