Life expectancy in Greece 1991-2007: Regional variations and spatial clustering

Abstract

In the absence of regional estimates of life-longevity for Greece, we have constructed abridged life tables by sex for the 51 prefectures of the country for 1991, 2001 and 2007, using the Reference to a Standard Table technique. The paper focuses on regional variations and spatial patterns of life expectancy at birth. This is the first time that such demographic information is presented for Greece. Conventional mapping depicts the improvements in mortality achieved for males and females during 1991-2007 as well as the advantage of the islands and of the southern regions of the country over northern Greece. Maps based on local indicators of spatial association (LISA) reveal a cluster of prefectures with low e0 values, covering mainly regions of northern Greece (Macedonia and Thrace) and three clusters with high values, including mainly prefectures of the Peloponnese, the islands of Dodecanese and Crete. Patterns are fairly similar for males and females. The analysis also shows that since 2001 sex differences in life expectancy have been narrowing, indicating that Greece follows the patterns observed in other European and developed countries with a time lag of about two decades.