Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012
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Avraham Ebenstein
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Maoyong Fan
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Michael Greenstone
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Guojun He
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Peng Yin
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Maigeng Zhou
- 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.p20151094
JEL Classification
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I12
Health Behavior
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J11
Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
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O15
Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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P25
Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies: Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
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P28
Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies: Natural Resources; Energy; Environment
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P36
Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions: Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training: Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty
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Q53
Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
