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Why Are More Boys Born During War? - Evidence from Germany at Mid Century

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  • Bethmann, Dirk
  • Kvasnicka, Michael

Abstract

In belligerent countries, male-to-female sex ratios at birth increased during and shortly after the two world wars. These rises still defy explanation. Several causes have been suggested (but not tested) in the literature. Many of these causes are proximate in nature, reflecting behavioral responses to the dramatically changed marriage market conditions for women and men that were induced by war-related declines in adult sex ratios. Based on county-level census data for the German state of Bavaria in the vicinity and aftermath of World War II, we explore the reduced-form relationship between changes in adult and off spring sex ratios. Our results suggest that war-induced shortfalls of men significantly increased the percentage of boys among newborns.

Suggested Citation

  • Bethmann, Dirk & Kvasnicka, Michael, 2009. "Why Are More Boys Born During War? - Evidence from Germany at Mid Century," Ruhr Economic Papers 154, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:154
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daron Acemoglu & David H. Autor & David Lyle, 2004. "Women, War, and Wages: The Effect of Female Labor Supply on the Wage Structure at Midcentury," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 112(3), pages 497-551, June.
    2. Anonymous, 1950. "Allied High Commission for Germany," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(2), pages 339-342, May.
    3. Kvasnicka, Michael & Bethmann, Dirk, 2007. "World war 2, missing men, and out-of-wedlock childbearing," SFB 649 Discussion Papers 2007-053, Humboldt University Berlin, Collaborative Research Center 649: Economic Risk.
    4. Dirk Bethmann & Michael Kvasnicka, 2013. "World War II, Missing Men and Out of Wedlock Childbearing," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 123(567), pages 162-194, March.
    5. Anonymous, 1950. "Allied High Commission for Germany," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(4), pages 704-706, November.
    6. Anonymous, 1950. "Allied High Commission for Germany," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(3), pages 535-538, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    World War II; adult sex ratio; sex ratio at birth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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