Oil And Gas Consumption: An Under-Recognized Risk Factor For Life Expectancy
Mohd Shahidan Shaari (a), Miguel Angel Esquivias (b*), Mohd Juraij Abd Rani (c), Faiz Masnan (d), Wen Chiat Lee (e)

(a) Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. 02600 Arau, Perlis. Malaysia

(b*) Faculty of Economics and Business, Airlangga University. Jl Airlangga 4-6. Surabaya, Indonesia

(c) Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. 02600 Arau, Perlis. Malaysia

(d) Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. 02600 Arau, Perlis. Malaysia

(e) Faculty of Business and Management. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch. 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. Malaysia

Abstract

Previous studies have overlooked the impact of fossil fuel consumption, particularly oil and gas, on life expectancy. A better understanding of the critical factors affecting life expectancy has meaningful implications for sustainable development. Using the ARDL approach, this study explores the effects of economic growth, national healthcare expenditure, as well as oil and gas consumption on life expectancy in Malaysia between 1980 and 2020. Our results show that economic growth and gas consumption positively affect life expectancy, while health expenditure and oil consumption negatively affect both the short and long run. The coefficients^ magnitude in the short run is smaller than in the long run, indicating that short-term effects are weaker. The implications of our findings suggest that policymakers need to consider alternative sources of energy and improvements in the quality of healthcare services in order to promote longevity and improve the quality of life in Malaysia. Increasing healthcare expenditure may need to be accompanied by improvements in environmental quality to make a positive impact on human well-being.

Keywords: greenhouse gas emissions- economic growth- life expectancy- well-being- health care

Topic: Public economics