Divergent paths to low mortality? The increase in life expectancy and the inequality in the number of lived years in Latin America and Europe

Abstract

One of the main demographic changes experienced by Latin America during the second half of the 20th century has been the increase in life expectancy. One problem with this indicator is that it reflects the average level of mortality, but not the inequality in the distribution of the years lived. The purpose of this paper is to perform a comparative historical analysis of mortality in Latin America and Europe that will show whether or not there are differences in their levels of inequality in the distribution of ages at death. The evidence suggests that there is no specific experience in the historical pattern of association between level of mortality and inequality in ages at death. Gaps between countries regarding inequality levels are constant throughout the transition to low mortality. However, there may be an association between social inequality and inequality in ages at death.