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Table 3 Description of variables

From: Effects of health on changing labor force participation in Pakistan

Variables

Measurement

Definition

Expected signs

Data source

Labor force participation rate (LFPR)

Percentage

Normally, the labor force of a country consists of everyone of working age (typically above a certain age (around 14 to 16) and below retirement (around 65) who are participating workers, that is people actively employed or seeking employment. People not counted include students, retired people, stay-at-home parents, people in prisons or similar institutions, people employed in jobs or professions with unreported income, as well as discouraged workers who cannot find work.

GoP (various issues)

Independent Variables (Health Inputs)

Health Expenditures (HEXP)

As percentage of GDP

Total health expenditure is the sum of public and private health expenditure. It covers the provision of health services (preventive and curative), family planning activities, nutrition activities, and emergency aid designated for health but does not include provision of water and sanitation.

Positive

WDI (2012)

Population per bed - Doctors

Physicians per 1000 people

Hospital beds comprise those available in public and private, general and specialized hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Hospitals are establishments permanently staffed by at least one physician.

Positive

WDI (2012)

Health Output Variables

Age dependency ratio (ADEP)

Percentage

The dependency ratio is an age-population ratio of those typically not in the labor force (the dependent part) and those typically in the labor force (the productive part). It is used to measure the pressure on productive population.

Negative

WDI (2012)

Life Expectancy at birth (LE)

Years

Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.

Positive

WDI (2012)

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Per 1000 individuals per year

Mortality rate is a measure of the number of deaths in a population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. Mortality rate is typically expressed in units of deaths per 1000 individuals per year.

Negative

WDI (2012)

Others Health Related Indicators

Trade Openness (TOP)

Exports plus imports as percentage of GDP

Trade openness is the removal or reduction of restrictions or barriers on the free exchange of goods between nations. This includes the removal or reduction of both tariff (duties and surcharges) and non-tariff obstacles (like licensing rules, quotas and other requirements). The easing or eradication of these restrictions is often referred to as promoting “free trade.”

Positive

WDI (2012)

Gross Capital Formation (GCF)

As percentage of GDP

Gross capital formation (formerly gross domestic investment) consists of outlays on additions to the fixed assets of the economy plus net changes in the level of inventories.

Positive

WDI (2012)

Secondary School Enrolment (PSE)

Percentage of Gross enrolment

Secondary school enrollment is the proportion of the population of the official age for secondary education according to national regulations who are actually enrolled in secondary schools.

Positive

WDI (2012)

  1. Source: FBD (various issues) and WDI (2012).