NIGERIA’S MACROECONOMY AND LIFE EXPECTANCY: EVIDENCE FROM A NONLINEAR ARDL TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Nigerian’s life expectancy rate falls below regional and international level despite being the 
largest economy in Africa. This study investigates the impact of Nigeria’s macroeconomy on 
life expectancy using time series data from 1986 to 2023. The study employed the nonlinear 
autoregressive distributed lag model and the findings, both in the short and long run, positive 
and negative economic growth have positive and significant impact on life expectancy in 
Nigeria. Also, negative inflation and physician per capita have positive but insignificant impact 
on life expectancy in Nigeria. On the other hand, positive inflation has negative but significant 
impact on life expectancy in the short run but insignificant impact in the long run. Positive 
unemployment has negative but significant impact in the long run, while the impact in the short 
run was insignificant. The result further revealed that positive inflation in the long run has 
negative and insignificant impact while negative unemployment and institutional quality, both 
in the long and short run have negative and insignificant impact. Based on the findings of the 
study, it is recommended that policies that promote inclusive economic growth, stabilize prices, 
create employment opportunities, and enhance environmental sustainability are critical for 
achieving meaningful improvements in life expectancy, and overall health outcomes.