The Impact of Economic Growth, Physician Density, and Student-Teacher Ratio on Life Expectancy at Birth: Evidence From Belgium

Life expectancy at birth (LEAB) denotes the average number of years a newborn is anticipated to live, assuming current conditions persist throughout their lifetime. This study investigates the influence of economic growth, the number of physicians per 1,000 inhabitants, and the student–teacher ratio on LEAB in Belgium. Initially, the analysis utilizes data spanning from 1970 to 2017 and applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. To validate the robustness of the ARDL findings, the study further employs Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) techniques. These additional methods enhance the reliability of the results. The ARDL analysis reveals no statistically significant relationship between LEAB and either economic growth or the student–teacher ratio in both the short and long run. However, a positive and significant association is observed between LEAB and the number of physicians per 1,000 individuals. Consistent with these findings, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR estimations also indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between LEAB and physician density. Furthermore, these methods identify a negative and significant correlation between LEAB and the student–teacher ratio. In conclusion, policies aimed at reducing income inequality and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and education services for all segments of society can play a vital role in improving life expectancy outcomes.