Age Pattern of Mortality in the Czech Republic in Comparison to European Regions: Focus on Convergence and Divergence Tendencies
Abstract
Main objective of this paper is the analysis of convergence and divergence tendencies of mortality in Europe since the second half of the 20th century. To meet this goal, differences in mortality between one reference country and European regions (comprising of several countries) were studied.
Therefore, mortality in Europe was evaluated from two points of view: (1) position of the reference state in the context of the European population, (2) differences between European regions (based on disparities between defined regions and reference state). Using data from the Human Mortality Database (period 1960-2012), analysis was carried out on the basis of decomposition methods which allow to compare contributions of selected age groups to difference in life expectancy between European regions and reference country.
The Czech Republic was selected as the reference country. Results showed varying mortality tendencies in the Czech Republic and European regions according to age.
In 1960's the Czech Republic experienced considerably lower infant mortality in comparison to other regions (except for Northern Europe). However, the main differences in mortality gradually appeared in the middle and old age.
Considering middle age, during the studied period the Czech Republic recorded lower mortality in comparison to Eastern Europe, the same holds for the Central European region since the 1980's. However, until the 1990's the Czech Republic showed less favorable mortality of older age groups (aged 65+) than all European regions.
It was proved that the main reason for the persisting differences in mortality within Europe could be found in different mortality of older people.