The 'Out of Africa' Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development

Quamrul Ashraf and Oded Galor

American Economic Review, 2013, vol. 103, issue 1, 1-46

Abstract: This research advances and empirically establishes the hypothesis that, in the course of the prehistoric exodus of Homo sapiens out of Africa, variation in migratory distance to various settlements across the globe affected genetic diversity and has had a persistent hump-shaped effect on comparative economic development, reflecting the trade-off between the beneficial and the detrimental effects of diversity on productivity. While the low diversity of Native American populations and the high diversity of African populations have been detrimental for the development of these regions, the intermediate levels of diversity associated with European and Asian populations have been conducive for development. (JEL N10, N30, N50, O10, O50, Z10)

JEL-codes: N10 N30 N50 O10 O50 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.103.1.1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development (2012)
Working Paper: The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development (2012)
Working Paper: The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development (2012)
Working Paper: The 'Out of Africa' Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development (2011)
Working Paper: The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development (2011)
Working Paper: The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Ecomomic Development (2010)
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