The Rise and Fall of Spatial Inequalities in France: a Long-Run Perspective

Jacques Thisse, Pierre-Philippe Combes, Miren Lafourcade and Jean-Claude Toutain

No 7017, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper uses a unique database that provides value-added, employment, and population levels for the entire set of French departments for the years 1860, 1930, and 2000. These data cover three sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and services. This allows us to study the evolution of spatial inequalities within France and to test the empirical relevance of economic geography predictions over the long run. The evidence confirms the existence of a bell-shaped evolution of the spatial concentration of manufacturing and services. In contrast, labor productivity has been converging across departments. Last, our study also confirms the presence of strong agglomeration economies during the full time-period. Market potential during the first sub-period (1860-1930), and higher education during the second (1930-2000), together with sectoral diversity, account for the spatial distribution of these gains.

Keywords: Economic geography; Agglomeration economies; Human capital; Economic history (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N93 N94 O18 R12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eec, nep-geo, nep-his and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2011)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2011)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2011)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2011)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inaqualities in France: a long-run perspective (2008)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2008)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inaqualities in France: a long-run perspective (2008)
Working Paper: The rise and fall of spatial inequalities in France: A long-run perspective (2008)
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