[Inequalities regarding death in the past].
Was mortality differentiated socio-economically in past centuries, as it is nowadays? The issue has been hotly debated. Certain demographers admitted that, periods of famine excepted, the death risk was evenly distributed among the ancient populations, regardless of wealth, instruction or social status. On the other hand, the research project currently carried out at the French National Institute of Demographic Studies is evidencing wide mortality social differentials in the 19th century. In Paris, male life expectancy at the age of 40 reached 29.7 years for the nobility and bourgeoisie, but decreased to 25.6 years among merchants and 23.7 years among workers and day-labourers. Generally speaking, regional differentials were less pronounced than socioeconomic differentials. Mortality decline was found among the elites: life expectancy at 40 of the Knights of the Holy Spirit, for instance, increased to 30.8 years in the 18th century, from 27.8 years in the 16th century. The same life expectancy today (at 40 years of age) reaches 35.7 years among French professionals. The main problem with this kind of research is how to identify and collect relevant information. The researchers make use here of marriage registers from the past century. These registers recorded not only particulars of the married couple but also those of their parents (occupation, age, and date of death, if any). This information allows the calculation of mortality rates (and life expectancy) of ancient birth cohorts in various occupational groups. The primary condition is that the registers have been well kept and soundly stored until now. This is the case in certain city halls: the 4th arrondissement of Paris (1860-1863), Ivry-sur-Seine (1817-1823)... etc...
Blum
A
A
Institut National d'Etudes Démographiques, Paris.
Houdaille
J
J
D005260:Female; D005602:France; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D009790:Occupations; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Les inegalites devant la mort dans le passe.