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The Value of a Statistical Life: A Critical Review of Market Estimates Throughout the World


W. Kip Viscusi


Vanderbilt University - Law School; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Vanderbilt University - Department of Economics; Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management; Vanderbilt University - Strategy and Business Economics

Joseph E. Aldy


Harvard Kennedy School; National Bureau of Economic Research; Resources for the Future
February 2003

NBER Working Paper No. w9487

Abstract:     
A substantial literature over the past thirty years has evaluated tradeoffs between money and fatality risks. These values in turn serve as estimates of the value of a statistical life. This article reviews more than 60 studies of mortality risk premiums from ten countries and approximately 40 studies that present estimates of injury risk premiums. This critical review examines a variety of econometric issues, the role of unionization in risk premiums, and the effects of age on the value of a statistical life. Our meta-analysis indicates an income elasticity of the value of a statistical life from about 0.5 to 0.6. The paper also presents a detailed discussion of policy applications of these value of a statistical life estimates and related issues, including risk-risk analysis.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 127

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Date posted: February 13, 2003  

Suggested Citation

Viscusi, W. Kip and Aldy, Joseph E., The Value of a Statistical Life: A Critical Review of Market Estimates Throughout the World (February 2003). NBER Working Paper No. w9487. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=379270

Contact Information

W. Kip Viscusi (Contact Author)
Vanderbilt University - Law School ( email )
131 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-1181
United States
615-343-7715 (Phone)
615-322-5953 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Vanderbilt University - Department of Economics
Box 1819 Station B
Nashville, TN 37235
United States
(615) 343-7715 (Phone)
(615) 343-5953 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm
Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management
401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
United States
(615) 343-7715 (Phone)
(615) 343-5953 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm
Vanderbilt University - Strategy and Business Economics ( email )
Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Joseph E. Aldy
Harvard Kennedy School ( email )
79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-496-7213 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/joseph-aldy
National Bureau of Economic Research
1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Resources for the Future ( email )
79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-496-7213 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/joseph-aldy
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