Impact Of Health Expenditure, Environmental Pollution, And Institutional Quality On Life Expectancy In Subsaharan Africa

• Stephen Nyitama Zirra

  Postgraduate Student, Department of Economics and Development Studies, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State

  Author

• Mohammed Inuwa Dauda

  Author

• Idowu Daniel Onisanwa

  Author

This study examines the impact of health expenditure, environmental pollution, and institutional quality on life expectancy in 45 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2024, using panel data. Health expenditure, environmental pollution, institutional quality and life expectancy were sourced from World Bank, (2026). System Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) test was employed to analysed the data. The result revealed that health expenditure improves life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the impact varies by type. Public health expenditure (GHEX) has a strong and statistically significant positive impact on life expectancy. In contrast, private health expenditure (PHEX), although positive, is not statistically significant. Moreso, environmental pollution appeared to have a statistically significant negative impact on life expectancy. Additionally, institutional quality shows mixed effects. Government effectiveness (GEF) has a positive and significant impact on life expectancy. However, control of corruption (COC) and regulatory quality (REQ) exhibit negative impacts. It is recommended based on findings that public health expenditure should be increased and efficiently managed, as it has a stronger and more significant impact on life expectancy than private spending. Governments need to prioritize primary healthcare, expand access, and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Furthermore, Environmental policies must be strengthened, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and eliminating open defecation, since poor environmental conditions significantly reduce health outcomes. Lastly, institutional reforms should focus on improving government effectiveness, as efficient service delivery enhances life expectancy. At the same time, regulatory systems and anti-corruption measures should be simplified and better implemented to avoid inefficiencies and bottlenecks.

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