The effect of spouses on the mortality of older people in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper uses prospective data to show that older widowed and divorced individuals in rural Bangladesh have significantly higher mortality than their currently married peers. In contrast to Western societies however, women suffer more from widowhood (in terms of decreased survival) than men. This disparity can plausibly be attributed to the greater poverty associated with widowhood for women than for men. However the effect of adverse selection into widowhood on the basis of poor health for both men and women cannot be ruled out nor can the effects of adverse changes in lifestyle. Show more