Poor, hungry and ignorant: Numeracy and the impact of high food prices in industrializing Britain, 1780-1850

This paper uses the ability to recall one s age correctly as an indicator of numeracy.We show that low levels of nutrition impaired numeracy in industrializing England, 1780-1850.Numeracy declined markedly among those born during the war years, especially where wheatwas dear. England s nascent welfare state mitigated the negative effect of high food prices oncognitive skills. Nutrition during early development mattered for labor market outcomes:individuals born in periods or countries with high age heaping were more likely to sort intooccupations with limited intellectual requirements.

Moulin de Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, appartenant à M. Lefranc : consultation / [Signé : Armengaud aîné,... 30 juil. 1846.]

[Factum. Lefranc. 1846]

Moulin de Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, appartenant à M. Lefranc : consultation / [Signé : Armengaud aîné,... 30 juil. 1846.]

[Factum. Lefranc. 1846]

Skräddarmästare Daniel Schele jämte anhöriga i Åbo

Tore Blomqvist