A new GLO Discussion Paper establishes the presence of conflicting forces – the beneficial effects on life expectancy before the second epidemiological transition and their adverse effects thereafter.

GLO Discussion Paper No. 1071, 2022

The Shadow of the Neolithic Revolution on Life Expectancy: A Double-Edged Sword – Download PDF
by Franck, Raphaël & Galor, Oded & Moav, Omer & Özak, Ömer

GLO Fellows Raphael Franck, Oded Galor and Ömer Özak

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Author Abstract: This research explores the persistent effect of the Neolithic Revolution on the evolution of life expectancy in the course of human history. It advances the hypothesis and establishes empirically that the onset of the Neolithic Revolution and the associated rise in infectious diseases triggered a process of adaptation reducing mortality from infectious diseases while increasing the propensity for autoimmune and in ammatory diseases. Exploiting an exogenous source of variation in the timing of the Neolithic Revolution across French regions, the analysis establishes the presence of these conflicting forces – the beneficial effects on life expectancy before the second epidemiological transition and their adverse effects thereafter.

See also: Oded Galor, The Journey of Humanity

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