Data resource profile: the Human Mortality Database (HMD)

Abstract

Over the past 100 years, human longevity has increased more than during all preceding human history combined. This remarkable change was caused by reductions in mortality; first generally at younger ages, then later progressing to older ages. The precise causes as well as the social and economic impact of this change are still unclear. What are the major patterns, driving forces and future prospects of this process? To what extent are these changes determined by period factors such as advances in medicine and economic development or by cohort effects such as early life experiences and accumulation of behavioural risks over the life course? How much further can human longevity extend? These are central questions for scholars and policy makers. The Human Mortality Database (HMD), as a collection of detailed, consistent and high quality human mortality data, is an important resource for addressing these fundamental questions. Although there are other international databases of mortality indicators, some of which cover many more countries (eg those compiled by the United Nations Population Division, the World Health Organization, Eurostat and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation), they all have limitations mostly related to quality and detail of the data. For example, most lack information on advanced ages, are restricted to short time periods or focus on periods but not cohorts; these disadvantages are addressed by the HMD.