An Empirical Test of a Neo-Malthusian Theory of Fertility Change

Population and Environment, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 327-336, 2006

19 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2006 Last revised: 16 Jun 2010

See all articles by Eric Neumayer

Eric Neumayer

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Date Written: July 1, 2006

Abstract

Some neo-Malthusians regard fertility as being kept in check by scarcities and constraints and, conversely, as being raised by economic prosperity. Since out-migration to developed countries and the receipt of food aid from developed countries relax the constraints imposed by a country's carrying capacity, both will have a positive effect on fertility rates in developing countries. Moreover, better economic prospects will also raise fertility, all other things equal. This article provides an empirical test of these hypotheses derived from a neo-Malthusian theory of fertility change. The results fail to confirm the theory and often contradict it.

Keywords: Fertility, Malthusian, food aid, migration, economic prosperity, demographic transition

Suggested Citation

Neumayer, Eric, An Empirical Test of a Neo-Malthusian Theory of Fertility Change (July 1, 2006). Population and Environment, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 327-336, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=898175

Eric Neumayer (Contact Author)

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) ( email )

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://ericneumayer.wordpress.com/