Determinants of Life Expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Miserable Countries. A Panel Data Analysis. (1980- 2023)

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic determinants of life expectancy (LE) in top five miserable countries in Africa. The objectives were to investigate the impact of the socio - economic factors on life expectancy, investigate the long run socio – economic factors that determine life expectancy and to determine if any long run relationship exists between these socio-economic factors and life expectancy in miserable countries of Africa. Secondary data were sourced from the World Development Indicators for the period 1980-2023. It was found that, per capita income (PCI), secondary school enrollment, and health expenditure impacted positively on life expectancy for all the selected African countries while exchange rate, unemployment and carbondioxide (????????2) emission reduce life expectancy. Also, per capita income was significant determinant of life expectancy for all the countries, with ???? = ????.????????????, < ????.????????; ???? = ????.????????????,???? < ????.????????, ???? = ????. ????????????, < ????.????,???? = ????.????????????,???? < ????.????????,and ???? = ????.????????????,???? < ????.????????) for South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and Mauritius respectively. However, ????????2 emission was not a major determinant of life expectancy in all the countries. Secondary school enrolment, health expenditure, exchange rate and unemployment rate are determinants of life expectancy but not in all countries. The study concludes that unemployment rate, ????????2 emission and exchange rate reduce life expectancy in the selected countries.