Healthy life expectancy differences between older migrants and non-migrants in three European countries

Matias Reus-Pons, University of Groningen
Eva U. B. Kibele, University of Groningen
Fanny Janssen, University of Groningen

Migration, ageing and health are on the political agenda in all European countries, but so far little attention has been devoted to the health among older migrants in Europe. At the same time, the share of older migrants in European countries is rising steadily and there are reasons to believe that substantial differences in health exist between older migrants and non-migrants in Europe. Our aim is to analyse health differences between older migrants and non-migrants in three European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and England and Wales) and to assess how these potential differences in health vary over time. Population and mortality data are derived from official statistics, and health data are derived from either surveys or censuses, depending on the country. Healthy life expectancy is calculated for older migrants and non-migrants for different time periods. Decomposition techniques are applied to identify to what extent differences in healthy life expectancy are attributable to differences in mortality or rather to differences in morbidity. We expect that older migrants have poorer health compared to older non-migrants, regardless of whether their life expectancy is higher or lower than that of non-migrants, although this will differ particularly by area of origin. The results will show whether there is a trend towards morbidity compression or expansion over time among older migrants and non-migrants. Knowledge about the health of older migrants is crucial when judging the future health care demand in culturally diverse and ageing populations, and to inform policies and interventions. The study is innovative by focusing on health differences specifically between migrants and non-migrants at older ages, by considering both the country of origin and destination, and by analysing whether there is a trend towards morbidity compression or expansion over time.