Investigating the Volume and Structure of Alcohol Consumption and Their Impact on Life Expectancy in Russian Regions

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate differences in the volume and structure of alcohol consumption and then to reveal the impact of alcohol consumption on life expectancy in Russian regions. We consider the contribution of different product to the dynamics of consuming absolute alcohol. Necessary data were collected from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia from 2008 to 2012. Data on the volume of regional alcohol sales in liters were used as proxy variables because of the shortage of regionally divided statistical data on alcohol consumption. The data on absolute alcohol consumption in each region were obtained from the weighted-average share of spirits in each kind of alcoholic product considered. We estimate panel data models and reveal macroeconomic determinants of alcohol consumption that reflect economic development of regions, living standards, unemployment and degree of urbanization. We find strong positive relationship between alcohol consumption and mortality from external causes and negative with life expectancy in Russian regions. Results are valid for both male and female population.

Keywords: alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, inter-regional differences, life expectancy, mortality, Russian regions

JEL Classification: I15