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Two Stories, One Fate: Age-Heaping And Literacy In Spain, 1877-1930

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  • Beltrán Tapia, Francisco J.
  • Díez-Minguela, Alfonso
  • Martinez-Galarraga, Julio
  • Tirado-Fabregat, Daniel A.

Abstract

This study looks at human capital in Spain during the early stages of modern economic growth. We have assembled a new dataset for age-heaping and literacy in Spain with information about men and women from six population censuses and forty-nine provinces between 1877 and 1930. Our results show that, although age-heaping was less prevalent during the second half of the 19th century than previously thought, it did not decline until the early 20th century. Given that literacy increased throughout the whole period, our study thus unveils stark differences between age-heaping and literacy, which raises further questions regarding sources, methods and interpretation.

Suggested Citation

  • Beltrán Tapia, Francisco J. & Díez-Minguela, Alfonso & Martinez-Galarraga, Julio & Tirado-Fabregat, Daniel A., 2022. "Two Stories, One Fate: Age-Heaping And Literacy In Spain, 1877-1930," Revista de Historia Económica / Journal of Iberian and Latin American Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(3), pages 405-438, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:reveco:v:40:y:2022:i:3:p:405-438_1
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    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • N9 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • N01 - Economic History - - General - - - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical; Sources and Methods
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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