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Scarring and Selection in the Great Irish Famine

Author

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  • Matthias Blum
  • Christopher L. Colvin
  • Eoin McLaughlin

Abstract

How do famines shape the health of survivors? We examine the long‐term impact of the Great Irish Famine (1845–52) on human stature, distinguishing between adverse scarring effects and the apparent resilience of survivors due to selection. Using anthropometric data from more than 14500 individuals born before, during, and after this famine, we find that selection effects were most pronounced in areas with the highest mortality rates. Individuals born in severely affected regions exhibited no evidence of stunted growth, indicating that the Famine disproportionately eliminated the most vulnerable. In contrast, stunting is observed only in areas with lower excess mortality, where selective pressures were weaker. These findings contribute to debates on the biological consequences of extreme catastrophic risks, demonstrating how selection effects can obscure long‐term health deterioration. More broadly, our study provides a methodological framework for assessing selection in historical anthropometric research.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Blum & Christopher L. Colvin & Eoin McLaughlin, 2026. "Scarring and Selection in the Great Irish Famine," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 79(1), pages 189-220, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ehsrev:v:79:y:2026:i:1:p:189-220
    DOI: 10.1111/ehr.70013
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    2. Sari, Emre & Moilanen, Mikko & Sommerseth, Hilde Leikny, 2021. "Transgenerational health effects of in utero exposure to economic hardship: Evidence from preindustrial Southern Norway," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    3. Thompson, Kristina & Lindeboom, Maarten & Portrait, France, 2019. "Adult body height as a mediator between early-life conditions and socio-economic status: the case of the Dutch Potato Famine, 1846–1847," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 103-114.
    4. Llorca-Jaña, Manuel & Navarrete-Montalvo, Juan & Droller, Federico & Araya-Valenzuela, Roberto, 2018. "Height in eighteenth-century Chilean men: Evidence from military records, 1730–1800s," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 168-178.
    5. Mark E. McGovern, 2019. "How much does birth weight matter for child health in developing countries? Estimates from siblings and twins," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 3-22, January.
    6. Lust, Kersti & Jaadla, Hannaliis, 2024. "Vestiges of famine: Long-term mortality impacts of early-life exposure to the 1840s famine in Estonia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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