Impact of the Covid-19 Epidemic on Immigrant Cause-Specific Mortality in Spain: A Penalty beyond Covid-19

Nestor Aldea, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

Though immigrants show lower mortality than natives in Western countries, they suffered stronger mortality impacts of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020, in Spain and other countries. This paper investigates the durability of this disadvantage and the contribution of different ages and causes of death. To do so, I use individual population and death counts by cause of death in Spain for the period 2015-2022. Mortality by Covid-19 is found to be higher among non-European immigrants, respective to natives, starting from 40 years old. Non-European immigrants also suffered increases in non-Covid-19 mortality relative to natives due to cardiovascular disease, cancers, or external causes. The latter increased strongly during the epidemic at ages below 40 for Moroccan, African and Asian immigrants compared to natives. This points out the double penalty of immigrants during the epidemic. First, a social vulnerability to infectious diseases. Second, a higher mortality impact of the derived social crisis.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Mortality and Longevity, Migrant Populations and Refugees

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