LIFE EXPECTANCY, PUBLIC HEALTH SPENDING AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA: A VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIVE (VAR) MODEL

Abstract

The main focus of this study is to empirically analyze the relationship existing among life expectancy, public health spending and economic growth in Nigeria. A vector Autoregressive (VAR) model approach was employed in analyzing the data. The results of the study revealed that there is no bi-directional causality between life expectancy and public health spending in Nigeria. In the same vein, the study also revealed that there is no bi-directional causality between life expectancy and economic growth in Nigeria over the years. However, the study confirmed that there is bi-directional causality between public health spending and economic growth in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that for Nigeria to experience a sustainable economic growth, it has become imperative for her to put in place measures that would boost the life expectancy of her citizenry by increasing her public health spending as this will serve as a panacea for her economic backwardness.