Regional trajectories in life expectancy and lifespan variation: Persistent inequality in two Nordic welfare states

Ben Wilson*, Sven Drefahl, Isaac Sasson, Paul M. Henery, Caroline Uggla

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

An important dimension of inequality in mortality is regional variation. However, studies that investigate regional mortality patterns within and between national and regional borders are rare. We carry out a comparative study of Finland and Sweden: two welfare states that share many attributes, with one exception being their mortality trajectories. Although Finland has risen rapidly in the global life expectancy rankings, Sweden has lost its historical place among the top 10. Using individual-level register data, we study regional trends in life expectancy and lifespan variation by sex. Although all regions, in both countries, have experienced substantial improvements in life expectancy and lifespan inequality from 1990–2014, considerable differences between regions have remained unchanged, suggesting the existence of persistent inequality. In particular, Swedish-speaking regions in Finland have maintained their mortality advantage over Finnish-speaking regions. Nevertheless, there is some evidence of convergence between the regions of Finland and Sweden.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2378
JournalPopulation, Space and Place
Volume26
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2020

Funding

FundersFunder number
Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences
Academy of Finland293103
Vetenskapsrådet340‐2013‐5164
Riksbankens JubileumsfondM18‐0214:1
Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd2019–00603, 2016–07115
Strategic Research Council

    Keywords

    • Finland
    • inequality
    • life expectancy
    • lifespan variation
    • regional
    • sweden

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Regional trajectories in life expectancy and lifespan variation: Persistent inequality in two Nordic welfare states'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this