Escaping from hunger before WW1: the nutritional transition and living standards in Western Europe and USA in the late nineteenth century

Abstract Using the US Commissioner of Labor household survey, we estimate calories available to workers’ households in USA, Belgium, Britain, France and Germany 1888/90. We make raw comparisons data utilise propensity score matching techniques attempt overcome differences between nature country samples included original survey. find that had on average 500 daily per capita more than French Germans households, with Belgians British closer USA. ask if workers energy for work, once likely stature national sub-samples are taken into account, conclude it was a minor advantage. Finally, economic migration leads taller children. US-based were able provide those Britain response an additional child, so that, other things being equal, their children would grow taller.