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Inequality, Low-Intensity Immigration and Human Capital Formation in the Regions of Chile, 1820-1939

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  • Jörg Baten
  • Manuel Llorca-Jaña

Abstract

This article traces inequality and numeracy development in the regions of Chile during the 19th and early 20th century. Inequality, measured with anthropometric methods, was associated with a lower speed of human capital formation. Not all talents received the necessary education to make full use of their talent for the regional economy, especially in the south. However, in its northern regions we find that Chile was relatively equal and numerate during the 19th century, and the south converged somewhat during this period. In addition, we study the correlates of low-intensity immigration in Chile. Regions with a relatively high share of North European migrants developed faster in terms of numeracy.

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  • Jörg Baten & Manuel Llorca-Jaña, 2020. "Inequality, Low-Intensity Immigration and Human Capital Formation in the Regions of Chile, 1820-1939," CESifo Working Paper Series 8177, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_8177
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    inequality; immigration; human capital; numeracy; regions; Chile;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N36 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • N96 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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