This contributed volume applies cliometric methods to the study of family and households in
order to derive global patterns and determine their impact on economic development. Family and
households are a fundamental feature of societies and economies. They are found throughout
history and are the place where key decisions on fertility labour force participation
education consumption are made. This is especially relevant for the position of women. The
book gathers key insights from a variety of fields ¿ economics history demography
anthropology biology ¿ to shed light on the relation between family organisation and the
long-term process of economic development.
