Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/52979 
Year of Publication: 
2001
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Discussion Paper No. 2001/134
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
I model life expectancy in terms of physical and human capital and technology, the fundamental economic variables described by economic growth theories. For concreteness, the Solow model and a convergence club growth model by Howitt and Mayer (2001) are used as examples. I discuss how a multiple convergence club structure can be used to define states of development and show that it must be reflected in the life expectancy dynamics. I then show by visual examination and by using mis-specification tests on levels and on convergence properties that the empirical cross-country distribution of life expectancy for the period 1960-97 is best described using a convergence club structure. This gives strong empirical evidence that only growth theories involving convergence clubs can explain the process of development.
Subjects: 
convergence clubs
life expectancy
economic growth
twin-peaked distribution
health
JEL: 
I10
J11
N10
O15
O57
ISBN: 
9291900915
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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