The value of longevity: An international analysis
No. 90 (2022-03-01)Author(s)
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Gabriel Martínez
Abstract
The economic value of increases in the length of life is estimated for a large set of countries using age-specific data on consumption, leisure earnings, and mortality. Estimates are sensitive to parameters on intertemporal substitution and minimum consumption, and to the interest rate. A scenario of improvement of 1/10000 survival probabilities across life results in Value of Statistical Life (VSL) gains at the beginning of life of around USD $500 for the wealthier countries, $200 for middle-income, and $30 for the poorest. Benchmark income elasticities are in general below 1, except for low-income countries at older ages. The income elasticity of VSL is calculated directly, and not, as in previous literature, calculated for less developed countries based on measurements for wealthier countries.
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