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ResearchPaper
2017

Longevity-induced vertical innovation and the tradeoff between life and growth

Abstract (English)

We analyze the economic growth effects of rising longevity in a framework of endogenous growth driven by quality-improving innovations. We show that a rise in longevity raises savings and thereby reduces the market interest rate. Since the monopoly profits generated by a successful innovation are discounted by the endogenous market interest rate, this raises the net present value of innovations, which, in turn, fosters R&D. The associated increase in the employment of scientists leads to faster technological progress and a higher long-run economic growth rate. From a welfare perspective, we show that the direct effect of an increase in life expectancy on lifetime utility is much larger than the indirect effect of the induced higher consumption due to faster economic growth. Consequently, the debate on rising health care expenditures should not predominantly be based on the growth effects of health care.

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Publication license

Publication series

Hohenheim discussion papers in business, economics and social sciences; 2017,31

Published in

Other version

Faculty

Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Institute

Institute of Economics

Examination date

Supervisor

Edition / version

Citation

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ISSN

ISBN

Language

English

Publisher

Publisher place

Classification (DDC)

330 Economics

Original object

Free keywords

Long-run growth Vertical innovation Increasing life expectancy Welfare effects of changing longevity Size of health-care sectors

Standardized keywords (GND)

Langlebigkeit Wachstumstheorie

Sustainable Development Goals

BibTeX

@techreport{Baldanzi2017, url = {https://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/6204}, author = {Baldanzi, Annarita and Prettner, Klaus and Tscheuschner, Paul et al.}, title = {Longevity-induced vertical innovation and the tradeoff between life and growth}, year = {2017}, school = {Universität Hohenheim}, series = {Hohenheim discussion papers in business, economics and social sciences}, }

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