Robust estimates of value of a statistical life for developing economies

Bradley J. Bowland, John C. Beghin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Environmental economists use the value-of-statistical-life (VSL) approach to value mortality changes resulting from environmental improvement. Because of scarce data, VSL estimates are unavailable for most developing countries. Using robust regression techniques, we conduct a meta-analysis of VSL studies in industrialized countries to derive a VSL prediction function for developing economies accounting for differences in risk, income, human capital levels, and other demographic characteristics of these economies. We apply our estimated VSL to assess the willingness to pay for reduction in mortality linked to air pollution in Santiago, Chile. We find willingness-to-pay estimates in the range of 1992 purchasing power parity (PPP) $519,000-675,000 per life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)385-396
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Policy Modeling
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • I12
  • Meta-analysis
  • Mortality
  • O15
  • Q25
  • Santiago
  • VSL
  • Willingness to pay

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Economics and Econometrics

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