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Urbanization and mortality decline

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  • Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay
  • Elliott Green

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between mortality decline and urbanization, which has hitherto been proposed by demographers but has yet to be tested rigorously in a global context. Using cross†national panel data, we find evidence of a robust negative correlation between crude death rates and urbanization. The use of instrumental variables suggest that this relationship is causal, while historical data from the early 20th century suggest that this relationship holds in earlier periods as well. Finally, we find robust evidence that mortality decline is correlated with urbanization through the creation of new cities rather than promoting urban growth in already†extant cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay & Elliott Green, 2018. "Urbanization and mortality decline," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 483-503, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jregsc:v:58:y:2018:i:2:p:483-503
    DOI: 10.1111/jors.12375
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    Cited by:

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    3. Philippe Bocquier & Ashira Menashe-Oren & Wanli Nie, 2023. "Migration’s contribution to the urban transition: Direct census estimates from Africa and Asia," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 48(24), pages 681-732.
    4. Sabyasachi Tripathi & Moinak Maiti, 2023. "Does urbanization improve health outcomes: a cross country level analysis," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 277-316, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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