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Long-term Health and Human Capital Effects of Early-Life Economic Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Ruijun Hou

    (Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester
    School of Economics, University of Bristol)

  • Samuel Baker

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol)

  • Stephanie von Hinke

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol
    Institute for Fiscal Studies
    Institute for the Study of Labor)

  • Hans H. Sievertsen

    (The Danish Center for Social Science Research, VIVE
    School of Economics, University of Bristol
    Institute for the Study of Labor)

  • Emil S{o}rensen

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol)

  • Nicolai Vitt

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol)

Abstract

We study the long-term health and human capital impacts of local economic conditions experienced during the first 1,000 days of life. We combine historical data on monthly unemployment rates in urban England and Wales 1952-1967 with data from the UK Biobank on later-life outcomes. Leveraging variation in unemployment driven by national industry-specific shocks weighted by industry's importance in each area, we find no evidence that small, common fluctuations in local economic conditions during the early life period affect health or human capital in older age.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruijun Hou & Samuel Baker & Stephanie von Hinke & Hans H. Sievertsen & Emil S{o}rensen & Nicolai Vitt, 2025. "Long-term Health and Human Capital Effects of Early-Life Economic Conditions," Papers 2507.08159, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2507.08159
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    References listed on IDEAS

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