Erik Bengtsson
Senior lecturer
The living standards of the labouring classes in Sweden, 1750–1900: Evidence from rural probate inventories
Author
Summary, in English
We present new estimates of the living standards among the rural labouring classes in Sweden from 1750 to 1900. Starting with a database of more than 1,000 probate inventories of rural, landless and semi-landless people from the years 1750, 1800, 1850 and 1900, we study the development for crofters in particular. In a sub-sample of 120 probate inventories we map in great detail the material items of the crofter households, focusing especially on two categories: the means of production (animals and agricultural tools) and consumption goods. The crofters held over time fewer means of production but more consumption goods: glass, porcelain, mirrors, and clocks become more common. However, the decrease in means of production indicates a greater dependence on wage labour, rising land prices made it more difficult to become a farmer, and housing standards stayed poor. The study shows the usefulness of probate inventories to study labouring people’s living standards.
Department/s
- Department of Economic History
- Growth, technological change, and inequality
- Centre for Economic Demography
Publishing year
2022-06
Language
English
Pages
49-69
Publication/Series
Agricultural History Review
Volume
70
Issue
1
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
BAHS - British Agricultural History Society
Topic
- Economic History
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0002-1490