Measure of Lifespan Inequity Accounting for Disproportional Deprivation and Vulnerability of Populations

Magdalena Muszynska-Spielauer, Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences
Pauline Paulik , Johannes Kepler University Linz

This paper advances the measurement of lifespan inequity by integrating normative concepts of fairness with empirical assessments of population deprivation and vulnerability. Building on the framework by Muszynska-Spielauer et al. (2025) and grounded in Nussbaum’s capability approach, the study conceptualizes lifespan inequity as the unequal distribution of lifespan deprivation below a “minimum adequate length of life” (MALL), defined by the modal age at death. Using the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) index, we propose a method to aggregate the contributions of population sub-groups to total lifespan inequity while accounting for disproportionate deprivation and vulnerability arising from unequal ecological conditions. To achieve this, we incorporate normative weights reflecting socioeconomic disadvantage, and regional vulnerability and their effect on inequity in sub-populations. The empirical application covers 16 European countries (1995–2019) across 420 NUTS3 regions, linking lifespan inequity to indicators of regional deprivation and vulnerability, and temperature extremes. Preliminary application to French municipalities in 2011 demonstrates the feasibility of the weighting approach. As lifespan inequity correlates negatively with GDP per capita, when regional FGT indices are disproportionately weighted by disadvantage in relation to GDP, overall inequity increases by 43% for women and 22% for men. These results underline the ethical and empirical significance of integrating vulnerability into lifespan inequity measures. The proposed framework provides a tool for transformative change policies by revealing spatial patterns of unfair health outcomes and highlighting regions “left behind” in terms of life opportunities.

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 Presented in Session 121. Methodological Innovations in Mortality Studies