Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012

19 Pages Posted: 13 Feb 2015

See all articles by Avraham Ebenstein

Avraham Ebenstein

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Department of Economics

Maoyong Fan

Ball State University - Department of Economics

Michael Greenstone

University of Chicago - Department of Economics; Becker Friedman Institute for Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Guojun He

The University of Hong Kong

Yin Peng

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Maigeng Zhou

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Non-Communicable Disease Center

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 11, 2015

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.

Keywords: Growth, Pollution, Life Expectancy, China

JEL Classification: Q13, P28, Q28, Q53

Suggested Citation

Ebenstein, Avraham and Fan, Maoyong and Greenstone, Michael and He, Guojun and Peng, Yin and Zhou, Maigeng, Growth, Pollution, and Life Expectancy: China from 1991-2012 (February 11, 2015). Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics Working Paper No. 2015-03, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2563693 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2563693

Avraham Ebenstein

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Department of Economics ( email )

Israel

Maoyong Fan

Ball State University - Department of Economics ( email )

Whitinger Business Building, room 201
2000 W. University Ave.
Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States
765-285-5741 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/maoyongfan/home

Michael Greenstone (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Department of Economics

1126 East 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Becker Friedman Institute for Economics ( email )

Chicago, IL 60637
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Guojun He

The University of Hong Kong ( email )

Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong, Pokfulam HK
China

Yin Peng

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

155 Changbai Road
Changping District
Beijing, Changping District 102206
China

Maigeng Zhou

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Non-Communicable Disease Center ( email )

Beijing 100050
China

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