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Spatial Convergence in Height in Central Europe, 1890-1910

Author

Listed:
  • Marek Brabec

    (Department of Non-linear Modeling, Institute of Computer Science, and National Institute of Public Health)

  • John Komlos

    (University of Munich)

Abstract

We examine spatial convergence in biological well-being in the Habsburg Monarchy, circa 1890-1910, on the basis of evidence of the physical stature of 21-year-old military recruits, disaggregated into 15 Districts. We find that the shorter the population in 1890, the faster its height grew thereafter. Hence, there was convergence in physical stature between the peripheral areas of the monarchy (located in today’s Poland/Ukraine, Romania, and Slovakia) and its core (located in today’s Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary). The difference in trends between the trend in height in the Polish District of Przemysl and in Vienna was about 0.9 cm per decade, in favor of the former. Convergence among the core Districts themselves was minimal or non-existent, whereas the convergence among the peripheral Districts was more pronounced. Spatial convergence also took place between the peripheral regions and the more developed ones. The pattern is somewhat reminiscent of modern findings on convergence clubs in the global economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Marek Brabec & John Komlos, 2009. "Spatial Convergence in Height in Central Europe, 1890-1910," Journal of Income Distribution, Ad libros publications inc., vol. 18(1), pages 90-112, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:jid:journl:y:2009:v:18:i:1:p:90-112
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    spatial convergence; inequality; physical stature; economic growth; biological standard of living; Habsburg Monarchy; anthropometric history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O49 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Other

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