Geographic mortality differentials and the quality-quantity trade-off

Sinara Gharibyan (), David Gomtsyan () and Èric Roca Fernández ()
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Sinara Gharibyan: IOS - Ost- und Südosteuropa verstehen
David Gomtsyan: CREI - Centre de Recerca en Economia Internacional - UPF - Universitat Pompeu Fabra [Barcelona]
Èric Roca Fernández: CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne

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Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between geographic mortality differentials and human capital investment patterns in the Malthusian setup of 19th-century Armenia. We examine how variations in altitude are associated with mortality rates, human capital accumulation, and fertility decisions. Using detailed historical census and parish records, we document that higher-altitude areas tend to have lower population density, lower respiratory disease mortality, and lower overall mortality. Our empirical analysis also shows that individuals in these environments tend to display better numeracy skills and lower fertility rates. These findings align with the Ben-Porath hypothesis, suggesting that longer life horizons encourage shifting from child quantity to quality. Furthermore, these patterns are not driven by income differences or increased female autonomy arising from pastoral agriculture

Keywords: Human capital formation; Mortality; Disease environment; Geography; Armenia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-05-29
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://uca.hal.science/hal-05654079v1
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Published in Journal of Population Economics, 2026, 39, ⟨10.1007/s00148-026-01175-x⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05654079

DOI: 10.1007/s00148-026-01175-x

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