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Railroads, fertility and the demographic transition in England and Wales

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  • Gregori Galofré-Vilà

    (Universitat de València)

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative impact of railways on fertility in industrializing England and Wales. Using panel data with fixed effects and time-varying controls (N = 2,110), I find that at the local level fertility is around 3% higher in places that are connected to the railroad network than in unconnected units. To address endogeneity, I use an instrumental variable based on a network of least-cost paths. Results are robust to a range of specifications, including models in levels, differences, Coarsened Exact Matching estimation, Conley standard errors, and a range of placebo tests based on alternative means of transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregori Galofré-Vilà, 2025. "Railroads, fertility and the demographic transition in England and Wales," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 19(3), pages 689-707, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:cliomt:v:19:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s11698-024-00301-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11698-024-00301-7
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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