Surname Frequency and Lifespan
نویسندگان
چکیده
Using administrative records from the Social Security Administration this article explores the relationship between surname frequency and lifespan for over 19 million people born in 1910-19 and deceased by 2011—which represent over 80% of the total population born in 191019. People with more frequent surnames had shorter average and median lifespans. Differences in average lifespan between the top and bottom 5% of the distribution of people according to surname frequency amount to 484 days (1.33 years). Differences in median lifespan amount to 611 days (1.67 years). This empirical finding can be explained by human capital theory, connecting well-known stylized facts on fertility, human capital and intergenerational transmission. JEL codes: I14, I31, J1, N3, O1.
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