Urbanization, Industrialization, and Energy Transition: An Empirical Analysis of Life Expectancy in a Developing Economy

Urbanization is a defining feature of contemporary development, shaping economic opportunities, social structures, and health outcomes. This study examines the influence of urbanization on life expectancy in Bangladesh, with particular attention to the role of the energy mix and industrialization. Using annual data from 1971 to 2024 and applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model based on results of the unit root test, where some variables are stationary at level I(0) and some are at first difference I(1), the analysis explores both short- and long-run dynamics. The results indicate that a 1% increase in urbanization raises life expectancy by 0.09% in the short run. Moreover, non-renewable energy consumption and industrialization are found to exert a positive impact on life expectancy due to extensive contribution to national development, where industrialization depends on energy consumption and industrialization leads the economic development in Bangladesh. On the other hand, renewable energy has failed to raise life expectancy due to lack of renewable energy access in Bangladesh. In addition, in the long run, urbanization has a positive impact, where a 1% increase of urbanization leads to raise life expectancy 0.10%. By linking urbanization, energy use, and industrial development, this research addresses a gap in the literature regarding their combined effect on human longevity in developing contexts. The study's findings have suggested policy implications for developing countries to improve urban residents' life expectancy by considering the aim of sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3, 7, and 11.