Livsløbstabeller

Livsløbstabeller, often translated as life tables or mortality tables, are statistical tools used to illustrate the life expectancy of a population. They present data on the probability of death at each age, allowing for the calculation of expected lifespan. These tables are fundamental in fields such as actuarial science, public health, and demography.

The construction of a life table typically begins with a cohort of individuals, often 100,000 births, tracked over time. For each age interval, the table records the number of deaths and the number of survivors. From this, key metrics like the probability of dying within a year (qx), the number of person-years lived at each age (Lx), and the remaining life expectancy at each age (ex) are derived.

Life tables can be based on historical mortality data (period life tables) or on the actual survival experience of a specific birth cohort (cohort life tables). Period life tables provide a snapshot of mortality at a particular point in time, while cohort life tables offer a more accurate measure of the life expectancy of a group born in a specific year, as they account for potential changes in mortality rates over their lifetimes.

These tables have numerous applications. Insurers use them to calculate premiums and reserves. Governments and public health organizations use them to assess the health status of their populations, identify trends, and plan public health interventions. Researchers also utilize them to study the impact of various factors, such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and environmental conditions, on longevity.