kohortlivstabel

A kohortlivstabel, often translated as a cohort life table, is a statistical tool used in demography and actuarial science to analyze the mortality patterns of a specific group of individuals over time. Unlike a period life table which examines a population at a single point in time, a cohort life table follows a particular group, or cohort, from birth until the last member of that cohort dies. This cohort is typically defined by a shared characteristic, most commonly their year of birth.

The construction of a cohort life table involves tracking the survival rates of individuals within that defined group year by year. It calculates probabilities of dying at each age for that specific cohort, taking into account the actual mortality rates experienced by that group throughout their lifespan. Key metrics derived from a cohort life table include life expectancy at birth and life expectancy at various ages, all specific to the cohort being studied.

The primary advantage of a cohort life table is its ability to reflect historical mortality trends and to some extent, project future mortality based on observed patterns. This makes it valuable for understanding long-term demographic changes and for planning purposes in areas like pension funds and social security systems. However, it requires a long observation period, as it follows a cohort throughout its entire existence.