Fertility and the Plough

Alberto Alesina, Paola Giuliano and Nathan Nunn

No 5502, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The current study finds that societies which historically engaged in plough agriculture today have lower fertility. We argue, and provide ethnographic evidence, that the finding is explained by the fact that with plough agriculture, children, like women, are relatively less useful in the field. The plough requires strength and eliminates the need for weeding, a task particularly suitable for women and children. This in turn generates a preference for fewer children, lowering fertility.

Keywords: fertility; cultural norms; plough (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J13 O13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 14 pages
Date: 2011-02
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (60)

Published - published in: American Economic Review, 2011, 101 (3), 499-503

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Related works:
Journal Article: Fertility and the Plough (2011)
Working Paper: Fertility and the Plough (2011)
Working Paper: Fertility and the Plough (2011)
Working Paper: Fertility and the Plough (2011)
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