Abstract
Better understanding of the determinants of national life expectancy is crucial for economic development, as a healthy nation is a prerequisite for a wealthy nation. Many socioeconomic, nutritional, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors can influence a nation's health and longevity. Environmental degradation is one of the critical determinants of life expectancy, which is still under-researched, as the literature suggests. This study aims to investigate the determinants of life expectancy in 31 world's most polluted countries with particular attention on environmental degradation using the World Bank annual data and British Petroleum data over the period of 18 years (2000-2017). The empirical investigation is based on the model of Preston Curve, where panel corrected standard errors (PCSE) and feasible general least square (FGLS) estimates are employed to explore the long-run effects. Pairwise Granger causality test is also used to have short-run causality among the variables of interest, taking into account the cross-sectional dependence test and other essential diagnostic tests. The results confirm the existence of the Preston Curve, implying the positive effect of economic growth on life expectancy. Environmental degradation is found as a threat while health expenditure, clean water and improved sanitation affect the life expectancy positively in the sample countries. The causality test results reveal one-way causality from carbon emissions to life expectancy and bidirectional causalities between drinking water and life expectancy and sanitation and life expectancy. Our results reveal that environmental degradation is a threat to having improved life expectancy in our sample countries. Based on the results of this study, we recommend that: (1) policy marker of these countries should adopt policies that will reduce carbon emissions and thus will improve public health and productivity; (2) environment-friendly technologies and resources, such as renewable energy, should be used in the production process; (3) healthcare expenditure on a national budget should be increased; and (4) clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities must be ensured for all people.
Highlights
Numerous recent studies labelled environmental degradation as the most critical determinant of life expectancy in the world today
The results confirm the existence of the Preston Curve, implying the positive effect of economic growth on life expectancy
Environmental degradation is found as a threat while health expenditure, clean water and improved sanitation affect the life expectancy positively in the sample countries
Summary
Numerous recent studies labelled environmental degradation as the most critical determinant of life expectancy in the world today. Environmental degradation can adversely impact population health in several ways. Environmental degradation might cause adverse variations in food production and water quality, which contributes to higher mortality, among infant and elderly populations, as well as vulnerable people from lower socioeconomic background. Wen and Gu [12] and Wang et al [13] found that air quality critically impacts the longevity of the elderly population who has minimal ability to cope with environmental degradation due to other comorbidities. Environmental degradation is one of the critical determinants of life expectancy, which is still under-researched, as the literature suggests
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