Preston Eğrisi ve Wilkinson Hipotezi Çerçevesinde Türkiye: Gelir Artışı, Gelir Dağılımı ve Yaşam Beklentisinin Dönüşümü

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye ekonomisi bağlamında Preston Eğrisi ve Wilkinson Hipotezi’nin geçerliliğini inceleyerek kişi başına düşen gelir, gelir eşitsizliği ve kamu sağlık harcamalarının ortalama yaşam beklentisi üzerindeki etkilerini analiz etmektedir. 1960-2022 dönemine ait veriler kullanılarak, grafiksel analiz ve zaman serisi yöntemleri yardımıyla değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın temel bulgularına göre, Preston Eğrisi Türkiye için geçerli olup, kişi başına düşen gelir arttıkça yaşam beklentisinin arttığı, ancak bu etkinin belirli bir gelir seviyesinden sonra azaldığı tespit edilmiştir. Gelir eşitsizliği ile yaşam beklentisi arasında negatif ve anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuş, bu da Wilkinson Hipotezini destekler niteliktedir. Ayrıca, kamu sağlık harcamalarının yaşam beklentisini pozitif ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı şekilde etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, ekonomik büyümenin sağlık göstergeleri üzerindeki etkisinin yalnızca kişi başına düşen gelirin artırılmasıyla sınırlı olmadığını, aynı zamanda gelir dağılımı eşitsizliklerinin giderilmesi ve kamu sağlık harcamalarının artırılması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Politika önerileri kapsamında, sağlık harcamalarının artırılması, gelir eşitsizliklerini azaltacak sosyal politikaların uygulanması ve sağlık hizmetlerine erişimde bölgesel dengesizliklerin giderilmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Preston Eğrisi
• Wilkinson Hipotezi
• Gelir eşitsizliği
• Yaşam beklentisi
• Türkiye

Türkiye in the Framework of the Preston Curve and Wilkinson Hypothesis: The Transformation of Income Growth, Income Distribution, and Life Expectancy

Öz

This study examines the validity of the Preston Curve and Wilkinson Hypothesis in the context of the Turkish economy, analyzing the impact of per capita income, income inequality, and public health expenditures on life expectancy. Using data from 1960 to 2022, graphical analysis and time series methods were employed to investigate the relationships between these variables. The key findings indicate that the Preston Curve is valid for Türkiye, as higher per capita income increases life expectancy, but the effect diminishes beyond a certain income level. A negative and statistically significant relationship was found between income inequality and life expectancy, supporting the Wilkinson Hypothesis. Additionally, public health expenditures positively and significantly influence life expectancy, highlighting the importance of government investments in healthcare. The findings suggest that the impact of economic growth on health indicators is not solely determined by rising income levels but also by the reduction of income inequality and increased public health expenditures. Policy recommendations include expanding healthcare spending, implementing social policies to mitigate income inequality, and addressing regional disparities in healthcare access.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Preston Curve
• Wilkinson Hypothesis
• Income inequality
• Life expectancy
• Türkiye

Kaynakça

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