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Mortality Differential and Growth: What do we Learn From the Barro-Becker Model?

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  • STEFANO BOSI
  • THOMAS SEEGMULLER

Abstract

The model of endogenous fertility by Barro and Becker (1989) is augmented by taking into account the heterogeneity of households in terms of capital endowments, mortality, and costs per surviving child. There exists a unique balanced growth path where the population growth rates of all dynasties are equal. An increase in mortality raises the time cost per surviving child, and enhances economic growth, while reducing parity and demographic growth. The mechanism rests on the quantity-quality trade-off of having children, summarized by the adjustment of the average rearing cost of a surviving child.

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  • Stefano Bosi & Thomas Seegmuller, 2012. "Mortality Differential and Growth: What do we Learn From the Barro-Becker Model?," Mathematical Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 27-50, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:mpopst:v:19:y:2012:i:1:p:27-50
    DOI: 10.1080/08898480.2012.640866
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2019. "Endogenous Population In A Neoclassical Growth Model With Wealth And Time Values," Noble International Journal of Economics and Financial Research, Noble Academic Publsiher, vol. 4(5), pages 47-63, May.
    2. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2021. "A Neoclassical Growth Model With Endogenous Birth And Mortality Rates," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 66(231), pages 99-126, October –.
    3. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2016. "Population Growth And Preference Change In A Generalized Solow Growth Model With Gender Time Distributions," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 7-30, September.
    4. Melindi-Ghidi, Paolo & Seegmuller, Thomas, 2019. "The love for children hypothesis and the multiplicity of fertility rates," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 89-100.
    5. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2016. "Endogenous Population Dynamics and Economic Growth with Free Trade between Countries," Social Sciences and Education Research Review, Department of Communication, Journalism and Education Sciences, University of Craiova, vol. 3(1), pages 3-30, May.
    6. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2017. "Economic Development and Environmental Change with Endogenous Birth and Mortality Rates," Asian Journal of Economic Modelling, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(1), pages 77-97, March.
    7. Wei-Bin Zhang, 2014. "Endogenous population with human and physical capital accumulation," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 61(3), pages 231-252, September.
    8. Zhang W.B., 2015. "Birth And Mortality Rates, Gender Division Of Labor, And Time Distribution In The Solow Growth Model," Revista Galega de Economía, University of Santiago de Compostela. Faculty of Economics and Business., vol. 24(1), pages 121-134.
    9. Wei-Bin, ZHANG, 2015. "Economic Oscillations With Endogenous Population, Human Capital And Wealth," Annals of Spiru Haret University, Economic Series, Universitatea Spiru Haret, vol. 6(2), pages 9-26.

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