Recent Trends in Subnational Life Expectancy in Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia

Esther Denecke , Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)
Markus Sauerberg, Federal Institute for Population Research

Trends and spatial patterns in mortality have long been of interest to demographers. Previously, researchers have mainly focused on cross-country comparisons or examined spatial mortality patterns in national populations. Combining both perspectives, i.e. the subnational perspective across countries with shared borders, could provide a more comprehensive picture of recent mortality trends. Therefore, we estimate trends and spatial patterns in sex-specific life expectancy in 272 regions, located in three neighboring countries (Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia) from 2003 - 2019. This time period is particularly interesting because Czechia and Slovakia were among ten countries who became members of the European Union in May 2004 while Austria had previously been a member. A methodological challenge arises due to small population numbers and resulting erratic death counts. We utilize two approaches: First, we estimate life expectancy from the raw data. Second, we use Bayesian small-area estimation methods to produce stable estimates of life expectancy.

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 Presented in Session P2. Health, Mortality, Ageing - Aperitivo