How Divorce Impacts Health and Mortality in Germany: Evidence from the Combined Demographic Histories (CDH)

Katharina Werhan , Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund
Michaela Kreyenfeld, Hertie School
Carla Rowold, Hertie-School
Sarah Schmauk, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

In this project, we examine how divorce impacts health and mortality in Germany. For this purpose, we compiled a new dataset: the Combined Demographic Histories (CDH). The CDH integrates various types of register data from the German Pension Fund into a single, comprehensive source. It includes information on employment, earnings, health, mortality, and selected family-related variables. The dataset opens up new avenues for research at the intersection of employment, health, and mortality, as well as certain aspects of family life, such as female fertility and divorce. The data covers the period from 2011 to 2024 and includes a random sample of 20% of the population in Germany with a pension account (approximately 15 million persons per year). In this poster, we illustrate the setup of the data and present initial results on the association between divorce and health diagnosis. The data will be available for on-site use at the German Pension Fund, starting in June 2026. An off-site Scientific Use File will be released in early 2027.

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 Presented in Session P8. Demographic Trends, History, Data and Methods