@article{Rousson_54_26,
author = {Rousson, Valentin and Paccaud, Fred and Locatelli, Isabella },
title={{Winter life expectancy reduction in Europe}},
journal = {Demographic Research},
volume = {54},
number = {26},
pages = {821--834},
doi = {10.4054/DemRes.2026.54.26},
year = {2026},
abstract = {Background: Mortality is known to be higher in winter than in summer, with excess winter deaths ranging between 5% and 30% in Europe. A recent study conducted in the USA sought to quantify the excess winter mortality in terms of life expectancy reduction, by calculating the difference between summer and winter life expectancy. 

Objective: We aimed to calculate Winter Life Expectancy Reduction (WLER) in Europe, illustrate the extent to which this indicator depends on definitions of summer and winter, introduce a novel indicator of WLER based on a statistical model accounting for country-specific seasonal cycles, and compare men and women in terms of WLER. 

Methods: WLER indicators were calculated from weekly mortality data in 24 European countries over the period 2000–2019. 

Results: On average, WLER was a few months higher in Europe than in the USA, while depending heavily on country and sex, as well as the chosen indicator. Our model-based indicator measured the highest WLER values, ranging from 11 months (Finnish men) to 36 months (Portuguese women), with a European average of 18 months for men and 22 months for women. In most countries, WLER was higher for women than for men, regardless of the indicator used. 

Contribution: This is the first study to calculate WLER in Europe. It raises the intriguing scientific question of why women have a greater WLER than men. While life expectancy remains systematically higher in summer than in winter, our model also revealed a decline at the height of summer in Mediterranean countries. },
URL = {https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol54/26/},
eprint = {https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol54/26/54-26.pdf}
}