HOW LONG DO WE LIVE? AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC FACTORS AND LIFE EXPECTANCY IN NIGERIA

Long life represents the well-being or better living standard of a nation; as life expectancy has direct link with social welfare, human health and economic development. How long do we live? This paper examined an analysis of economic factors and life expectancy in Nigeria using annual time series covering a period of 35 years, which is between 1990 and 2024. The study used Life Expectancy (LEXP) as the dependent variable whereas Inflation (INF), Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDPPC), Government Expenditure on Health (GEH), and Unemployment (UNEMP) were used as the independent variables. Data were collected from secondary sources and analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Unit root test, Co-integration tests and Error Correction Modeling techniques. The results of the ECM shows that Inflation (INF) reduces Life Expectancy (LEXP); GDP per capita (GDPPC) reduces Life Expectancy (LEXP); Government Expenditure on Health (GEH) has no significant effect on Life Expectancy (LEXP); and Unemployment (UNEMP) reduces Life Expectancy (LEXP) in Nigeria during the period of study. The study therefore concludes that economic factors significantly impacts on life expectancy (LEXP) in Nigeria within the period of study. The study therefore recommended amongst others that policies aimed at boosting GDP per capita, increasing healthcare spending and addressing unemployment especially among the youths are vital for enhancing life expectancy.