Research report 2014 - Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Drastic changes in regional life-expectancy disparities in Germany: In search of the determinants
Authors
Klüsener, Sebastian; Scholz, Rembrandt; Kibele, Eva
Departments
Sebastian Klüsener, Rembrandt Scholz: Arbeitsbereich Demografische Daten, Max-Planck-Institut für demografische Forschung, Rostock
Eva Kibele: Population Research Centre / Healthy Ageing, Population and Society (HAPS), University of Groningen
Summary
Over the last 100 years, marked changes have occurred in Germany’s regional life-expectancy patterns. These include differences between the eastern and western part of the country and substantial shifts in the disparities between northern and southern Germany. By the beginning of the 20th century, the northern regions had the highest life expectancy, while the southern regions had the lowest levels. Today, this pattern is largely reversed. Research projects at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research look into the determinants of these mortality trends.