About this Dataset

Value Of Statistical Life (VSL), Alternative Estimates (for Sensitivity Analysis)

The "Value of a Statistical Life " (VSL) is a concept that has helped policymakers for decades to assess the costs and benefits of any policy involving changes in mortality risk, such as air pollution regulations. This dataset provides estimates of the Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) for 2022 in constant 2020 and 2022 USD, USP PPP and local currency.

These estimates are based on the meta-analysis presented in the publication Mortality Risk Valuation in Policy Assessment - A global meta-analysis of value of statistical life studies (2025). The dataset provides average and median VSL estimates at aggregated and national levels. Whereas VSL estimates for country groups were estimated directly from the meta-data, estimates for individual countries (except the United States) were computed from the VSL estimates of country groups following the methodology in Chapter 6 of the publication and in the dataset documentation.

These alternative estimates are intended for sensitivity analysis and provide an alternative to the recommended values. Filters allow users to test assumptions which may differ from those recommended by the OECD (more details in the dataset documentation). Missing values in the dataset correspond to the recommended VSL estimates, which are available in a dedicated dataset.

Contact: env.stat@oecd.org
Dataset publication date: October 2025

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Tables

Observations

@oecd.oecd_env_eei_dsd_vsl_df_vsl_alternative_v1_0.observations

26.62 kB
8,694 rows
13 columns

CREATE TABLE observations (
  "dataflow" VARCHAR,
  "ref_area" VARCHAR,
  "source_derivation" VARCHAR,
  "methodology" VARCHAR,
  "income_elasticity" VARCHAR,
  "unit_measure" VARCHAR,
  "statistical_operation" VARCHAR,
  "base_per" BIGINT,
  "measure_vsl" VARCHAR,
  "obs_value" DOUBLE,
  "obs_status" VARCHAR,
  "unit_mult" BIGINT,
  "prices" VARCHAR
);