In the present study, changes in the population mortality structure in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed from 1980 to 2005, aimed at identifying the effects of these changes on the variability of age at death. Evidence of a change in the distribution of deaths toward more advanced ages was found, and the mean lifespan for the overall population increased by seven years during the period. Two different scenarios were observed. The first (1980-1995) showed an increase in the variability of age at death. The second (1995-2005) showed a downward trend in variability. Estimates beyond a given quartile of the death distribution by age indicated that compression of mortality took place throughout the entire period. However, variability of age at death was lower for males as compared to females.
Mortality; Cause of Death; Population Estimates
