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The Macroeconomic Impact of the 1918–19 Influenza Pandemic in Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Karlsson

    (Universitat Duisberg-Essen)

  • Mykhailo Matvieiev

    (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Maksym Obrizan

    (Université de Kiev, KSE - Kyiv School of economic)

Abstract

In this paper, we develop an overlapping generations model with endogenous fertility and calibrate it to the Swedish historical data in order to estimate the economic cost of the 1918–19 influenza pandemic. The model identifies survivors from younger cohorts as main benefactors of the windfall bequests following the influenza mortality shock. We also show that the general equilibrium effects of the pandemic reveal themselves over the wage channel rather than the interest rate, fertility or labor supply channels. Finally, we demonstrate that the influenza mortality shock becomes persistent, driving the aggregate variables to lower steady states which costs the economy 1.819% of the output loss over the next century.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Karlsson & Mykhailo Matvieiev & Maksym Obrizan, 2022. "The Macroeconomic Impact of the 1918–19 Influenza Pandemic in Sweden," Post-Print hal-03661049, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03661049
    DOI: 10.1515/bejm-2021-0018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    epidemics; overlapping generations models; 1918-19 influenza; endogenous fertility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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