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Industrialization and inequality revisited: mortality differentials and vulnerability to economic stress in Stockholm, 1878–1926

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  • Joseph Molitoris
  • Martin Dribe

Abstract

This work combines economic and demographic data to examine inequality of living standards in Stockholm at the turn of the twentieth century. Using a longitudinal population register with occupational information, we utilize event-history models to show that despite absolute decreases in mortality, relative differences between socioeconomic groups remained virtually constant. The results also show that child mortality continued to be sensitive to short-term fluctuations in wages and that there were no socioeconomic differences in this response. We argue that the persistent inequality in living standards was possibly due to differences in residential patterns and nutrition.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Molitoris & Martin Dribe, 2016. "Industrialization and inequality revisited: mortality differentials and vulnerability to economic stress in Stockholm, 1878–1926," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 20(2), pages 176-197.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ereveh:v:20:y:2016:i:2:p:176-197.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ereh/hev023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rojo Cagigal, Juan Carlos & Houpt, Stefan, 2011. "Hunger in hell’s kitchen : family living conditions during Spanish industrialization : the Bilbao estuary, 1914-1935," IFCS - Working Papers in Economic History.WH wp11-04, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Instituto Figuerola.
    2. Allen, Robert C. & Bengtsson, Tommy & Dribe, Martin (ed.), 2005. "Living Standards in the Past: New Perspectives on Well-Being in Asia and Europe," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199280681.
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    5. Tommy Bengtsson & Cameron Campbell & James Z. Lee, 2004. "Life Under Pressure: Mortality and Living Standards in Europe and Asia, 1700-1900," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262025515, April.
    6. Hoffman, Philip T. & Jacks, David S. & Levin, Patricia A. & Lindert, Peter H., 2002. "Real Inequality In Europe Since 1500," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 62(2), pages 322-355, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luque de Haro, Víctor A. & Pujadas-Mora, Joana M. & García-Gómez, José J., 2021. "Inequality in mortality in pre-industrial southern Europe during an epidemic episode: socio-economic determinants (eighteenth - nineteenth centuries Spain)," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    2. Martin Dribe & Omar Karlsson, 2022. "Inequality in early life: Social class differences in childhood mortality in southern Sweden, 1815–1967," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 75(2), pages 475-502, May.
    3. Joseph Molitoris, 2017. "Disparities in death: Inequality in cause-specific infant and child mortality in Stockholm, 1878‒1926," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(15), pages 455-500.
    4. Tommy Bengtsson & Martin Dribe & Jonas Helgertz, 2020. "When Did the Health Gradient Emerge? Social Class and Adult Mortality in Southern Sweden, 1813–2015," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(3), pages 953-977, June.
    5. Francisco J. Marco-Garcia & Víctor A. Luque de Haro, 2023. "The persistence of social inequality in adult mortality in rural Spain, death cohorts 1546-2010," Working Papers 0238, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    6. Hannaliis Jaadla & Allan Puur & Kaja Rahu, 2017. "Socioeconomic and cultural differentials in mortality in a late 19th century urban setting: A linked records study from Tartu, Estonia, 1897-1900," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(1), pages 1-40.
    7. John C. Brown & Timothy W. Guinnane, 2018. "Infant mortality decline in rural and urban Bavaria: fertility, economic transformation, infant care, and inequality in Bavaria and Munich, 1825–1910," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 71(3), pages 853-886, August.

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