Skip to main content
Article
Malthusian Stagnation is Efficient
Economics Working Papers
  • Juan C. Cordoba, Iowa State University
  • Xiying Liu, Wuhan University
Publication Date
11-27-2016
Number
16010
Abstract

Malthusian economies are generally deemed inefficient: stagnated, highly unequal, and densely populated by a labouring class prone to high fertility. This article defines and characterizes efficient allocations in Malthusian environments of fixed resources and endogenous fertility. We show, that under general conditions, efficient allocations exhibit stagnation in standards of living, inequality, differential fertility, and a high population density of poorer individuals.

Departments
Department of Economics, Iowa State University
File Format
application/pdf
Length
44 pages
Citation Information
Juan C. Cordoba and Xiying Liu. "Malthusian Stagnation is Efficient" (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/juancarlos-cordoba/16/