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Prehistoric shuttle dispersals in a Malthusian economy

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  • Angus C. Chu

Abstract

Early humans undertook multiple waves of migration out of Africa and back to the continent. We explore prehistoric human migration in a two‐region Malthusian growth model. Whether migration occurs depends on the migration cost, relative population size, relative land supply, and relative hunting‐gathering productivity between regions. Suppose one region is initially uninhabited. Then, a lower migration cost leads to migration and a larger human population. Back migration occurs when hunting‐gathering productivity and supply of natural resources in the foreign region decrease relative to the home region, which provides an economic rationale for the multi‐directional “shuttle dispersal model” of prehistoric human migration out of and back to Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Angus C. Chu, 2026. "Prehistoric shuttle dispersals in a Malthusian economy," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 22(2), pages 147-160, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijethy:v:22:y:2026:i:2:p:147-160
    DOI: 10.1111/ijet.70019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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