Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012
American Economic Review
vol. 105,
no. 5, May 2015
(pp. 226-31)
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between income, pollution, and mortality in China from 1991-2012. Using first-difference models, we document a robust positive association between city-level GDP and life expectancy. We also find a negative association between city-level particulate air pollution exposure and life expectancy that is driven by elevated cardiorespiratory mortality rates. The results suggest that while China's unprecedented economic growth over the last two decades is associated with health improvements, pollution has served as a countervailing force.Citation
Ebenstein, Avraham, Maoyong Fan, Michael Greenstone, Guojun He, Peng Yin, and Maigeng Zhou. 2015. "Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012." American Economic Review, 105 (5): 226-31. DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20151094Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- J11 Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- P25 Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies: Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
- P28 Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies: Natural Resources; Energy; Environment
- P36 Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions: Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training: Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty
- Q53 Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling