2009/08/21 by Brian A’Hearn, Brian A'Hearn, Jörg Baten +1 · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Culture, Economy, and Development Studies #Historical Economic and Social Studies
paper · doi:10.1017/s0022050709001120
openalex publication_date 2009/08/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Age data frequently display excess frequencies at attractive numbers, such as multiples of five. We use this “age heaping” to measure cognitive ability in quantitative reasoning, or “numeracy.” We construct a database of age heaping estimates with exceptional geographic and temporal coverage, and demonstrate a robust correlation of literacy and numeracy, where both can be observed. Extending the temporal and geographic range of our knowledge of human capital, we show that Western Europe had already diverged from the east and reached high numeracy levels by 1600, long before the rise of mass schooling or the onset of industrialization.