Tue Nov 4 11:28:29 EST 2003
ABSTRACTS IN ECONOMIC HISTORY
(c) 2003 EH.Net
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Name: Joerg Baten
Email: joerg.baten at uni-tuebingen.de
Institution: University of Tuebingen
Co-author: Nikola Koepke (=first author)
Title: The Biological Standard of Living in Europe During the Last Two Millennia
Internet Address of abstracted work:
http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/uni/w04/bibliothek/DiskBeitraege/265.pdf
By mail:
joerg.baten at uni-tuebingen.de
Language: English
Abstract:
This paper offers the first anthropometric estimates on the biological
standard of living in central Europe in the first millennium, and expands
the literature on the second millenium. The overall picture is one of
stagnant heights. There was not much progress in European nutritional
status, not even between 1000 and 1800, when recent GDP per capita
estimates arrive at growing figures. We find that heights stagnated during
the Roman imperial period in Central, Western and Southern Europe. One
astonishing result is the height increase in the fifth and sixth centuries.
Noteworthy is the synchronicity of the height development in three large
regions of Europe. In a regression analysis of height determinants,
population density was clearly economically (but not statistically)
significant. Decreasing marginal product theories and Malthusian thought
cannot be denied for the pre-1800 period. Of marginal significance were
climate (warmer temperatures were good for nutritional status), social
inequality and gender inequality (both reduce average height).
Bibliography: Baten, Joerg. "The Biological Standard of Living in Europe During the Last Two Millennia." Tuebinger Diskussionsbeitraege (Tuebingen economics dept. working paper series) No. 265. 2003.
Subject: U
Geographical Area: 4
Country/Region: most European countries
Time Period: 0
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