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When Universities Matter: Academic Quality, Market Access, and Urban Growth in Pre-Industrial Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Benos, Nikolaos

    (Department of Economics, University of Ioannina)

  • Conti, Maurizio

    (University of Genoa)

  • Papazoglou, Michail

    (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training)

  • Tsoumaris, Stamatis

    (Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi))

Abstract

We examine universities and urban growth in pre-industrial Europe using a panel of 2,247 cities from 1000 to 1800 and a staggered difference-in-differences design. Under the maintained identifying assumptions, university establishment is associated with approximately 20 percent higher city population, but estimates are highly heterogeneous. Population gains are strongest in earlier centuries and weaken as universities diffuse, while after 1500 they are concentrated among high-quality universities and commercially connected cities, especially near Atlantic and North Sea trade routes. University establishment is also followed by improved local market access. Overall, universities matter most where academic quality and commercial opportunities are greatest.

Suggested Citation

  • Benos, Nikolaos & Conti, Maurizio & Papazoglou, Michail & Tsoumaris, Stamatis, 2026. "When Universities Matter: Academic Quality, Market Access, and Urban Growth in Pre-Industrial Europe," IZA Discussion Papers 18781, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18781
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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
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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