This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: For the first time in Finland, population-level norm values have been established for estimating life expectancy adjusted for health-related functional capacity and productivity. The new study provides Finnish norm values for both everyday functioning and work ability, as well as for a newly developed measure, productivity-adjusted life expectancy.
The study is part of an international effort to develop standardized measures that enable comparisons across countries. Similar population-level norm values have previously been reported in Australia and Canada. The paper is published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
"Our goal is to develop an internationally comparable measure that considers not only how long people live, but also how well they are able to participate in society, working life, household activities, and other daily functions. The Finnish results are an important addition to this work," says Professor Janne Martikainen, the scientific lead of the study, from the University of Eastern Finland. The data were derived from a population survey conducted in summer 2024, including 3,644 Finnish adults ages 20 to 79.
The sample was representative of the Finnish adult population in terms of both geographic distribution and demographic characteristics. The researchers developed a weighted productivity index ranging from 0 to 1, where 1 represents perfect functioning and work ability, and 0 represents complete inability to perform daily activities or work. For example, a coefficient of 0.80 indicates that a person functions, on average, at approximately 80% of full capacity because of illnesses or health conditions.
The average weighted productivity index for the Finnish adult population was 0.77. The index was 0.78 for men and 0.76 for women. "In health economic evaluations, the consequences of ill health are usually considered primarily from the perspective of paid employment.
We wanted to also account for household work, caregiving and other unpaid activities, which form a substantial part of people's daily lives and contribute significantly to societal functioning. However, their value often remains invisible in economic assessments and is not reflected, for example, in gross domestic product," explains senior researcher Piia Lavikainen, the principal investigator of the study. The study also estimated productivity-adjusted life expectancy (PALE), a measure that combines population life expectancy with information on losses in functioning and productivity caused by health conditions.
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