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A World Record in the Improvement in Biological Standards of Living in Korea: Evidence from Age at Menarche

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  • Kitae Sohn

Abstract

This paper uses age at menarche to understand the improvement in biological standards of living in South Korea. The main data set, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, provides a consistent source of nationally representative data with a large number of observations over a long period of time. We find that the mean age at menarche decreases from 16.64 years for the birth year 1941 to 12.68 years for the birth year 1992, decreasing 0.78 (or 0.81 in a regression) years per decade for the birth years 1941û 1992. Comparisons with other populations demonstrate that this is the fastest ever known. Furthermore, the decreasing rate does not appear to slow. The results are consistent with the fact that Korea achieved rapid economic growth in the second half of the 20th century. In addition, we provide suggestive evidence for height and life expectancy at birth improving at the fastest rate in the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Kitae Sohn, 2015. "A World Record in the Improvement in Biological Standards of Living in Korea: Evidence from Age at Menarche," CEH Discussion Papers 037, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:auu:hpaper:037
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    File URL: https://cbe.anu.edu.au/researchpapers/CEH/WP201507.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    menarche; anthropometrics; South Korea; 20th century; Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East

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