The Role of Fertility and Population in Economic Growth: Empirical Resultsfrom Aggregate Cross-National Data

42 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2007 Last revised: 3 Sep 2022

See all articles by James A. Brander

James A. Brander

University of British Columbia (UBC) - Sauder School of Business

Steve Dowrick

Australian National University (ANU) - Faculty of Economics & Commerce

Date Written: February 1993

Abstract

Two recently improved sets of cross-country panel data are combined in orderto re-examine the effects of population growth and fertility on economicgrowth. Using a 107 country panel data set covering 1960-85, we find thathigh birth rates appear to reduce economic growth through investment effectsand possibly through "capital dilution", although classic resource dilution is notevident in the data. Most significantly, however, birth rate declines have astrong medium-term positive impact on per capita income growth throughlabour supply or "dependency" effects.

Suggested Citation

Brander, James A. and Dowrick, Steve, The Role of Fertility and Population in Economic Growth: Empirical Resultsfrom Aggregate Cross-National Data (February 1993). NBER Working Paper No. w4270, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=478713

James A. Brander (Contact Author)

University of British Columbia (UBC) - Sauder School of Business ( email )

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Steve Dowrick

Australian National University (ANU) - Faculty of Economics & Commerce ( email )

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Australia