Ecological Footprint Consumption Leads to Low Life Expectancy: Evidence from Developing Countries

Abstract

Health is significant for economic development, and it contributes to achieving sustainable development and health outcomes. Result shows that health has contributed much to development and health outcomes. This study examines the effect of ecological footprint consumption and government health expenditures on life expectancy at birth in certain developing economies. A panel data set of 17 selected developing countries is used from the time span of 2002 to 2020. Findings are based on the fixed effects technique. Major socio-economic determinants of life expectancy are ecological footprints, gross domestic product, government health expenditures, urban population, unemployment, and infant mortality rate. The results show that ecological footprints, unemployment rate, and mortality rate decrease life expectancy. Whereas, health expenditures, gross domestic product, and urban population increase the life expectancy at birth. This study suggests the proper utilization of government health expenditures to decrease mortality rates in developing countries. Moreover, there is a serious need to increase employment opportunities for high life expectancy. Finally, more renewable energy resources for low environmental damage are necessary.