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The Demographic Effects of Colonialism: Forced Labor and Mortality in Java, 1834–1879

Author

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  • de Zwart, Pim
  • Gallardo-Albarrán, Daniel
  • Rijpma, Auke

Abstract

We investigate the demographic effects of forced labor under an extractive colonial regime: the Cultivation System in nineteenth-century Java. Our panel analyses show that labor demands are strongly positively associated with mortality rates, likely resulting from malnourishment and unhygienic conditions on plantations and the spread of infectious diseases. An instrumental variable approach, using international market prices for coffee and sugar for predicting labor demands, addresses potential endogeneity concerns. Our estimates suggest that without the abolition of the Cultivation System average overall mortality in Java would have been between 10 and 30 percent higher by the late 1870s.

Suggested Citation

  • de Zwart, Pim & Gallardo-Albarrán, Daniel & Rijpma, Auke, 2022. "The Demographic Effects of Colonialism: Forced Labor and Mortality in Java, 1834–1879," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 82(1), pages 211-249, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:82:y:2022:i:1:p:211-249_6
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    Cited by:

    1. Pim de Zwart & Markus Lampe & Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke, 2024. "The last free traders? Interwar trade policy in the Netherlands and Netherlands East Indies," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 77(3), pages 1057-1085, August.
    2. Deng, Kent & Shen, Jim Huangnan & Guo, Jingyuan, 2022. "Performance and mechanisms of the Maoist economy: a holistic approach, 1950-1980," Economic History Working Papers 116401, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
    3. de Zwart, Pim & Soekhradj, Phylicia, 2023. "Sweet equality: Sugar, property rights, and land distribution in colonial Java," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • N55 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Asia including Middle East
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J47 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Coercive Labor Markets

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