Air pollution and life expectancy: New evidence from the MINT economies

Abstract

Life expectancy (LEX) has gained relevance among health and environmental scholars due to the current upsurge in carbon emissions. As a result, this article examined the impact of economic development (ECD), air pollution (AIP), human capital (HUC), natural resources (NRR), and renewable energy consumption (REC) on LEX in the MINT countries. The DSK estimation approach was used to estimate the variables’ long-term interaction. The following are the main empirical findings from the analysis. First, the research discovered a positive, significant, and favourable nexus between ECD, HUC, REC, and LEX. Second, AIP and NRR have a detrimental and significant impact on LEX. Third, the causation analysis revealed a one-way link between economic development, renewable energy consumption, and LEX. This empirical research gives policy-makers unique ideas on using human capital, renewable energy, and economic growth as strategic tools to promote life expectancy. Therefore, MINT nations must employ the appropriate strategies to boost economic growth, human capital and renewable energy to improve life expectancy. On the other hand, these countries should enhance natural resource utilization and reduce carbon emissions to achieve a longer lifespan.

Keywords

• Air pollution
• Economic development
• Human capital
• Life expectancy
• Natural resources
• Renewable energy