Smoothing mortality data: the English Life Tables, 2010–2012
We describe the most recent statistical methodology used to produce the 17th English Life Table, covering the period 2010–2012. Crude mortality rates are smoothed, or graduated, by using a combination of a generalized additive model and low dimensional parametric models. The approach to graduation acknowledges uncertainty, particularly in the highest age groups, by model averaging, using a simplified version of a full Bayesian analysis.