Morbidity, Mortality, and Fertility in Human Capital Investments: Evidence from Global Malaria1

Malaria continues to be an obstacle to human capital development in many countries. However, the direct link between malaria and human capital has not been well characterized. This study contributes two novel insights. First, examining the intervention-driven declines in disease prevalence over the second half of the 20 th century, I provide a cross-country estimate of the impact of malaria on educational attainment. I find that populations in countries with the highest malaria risk attained approximately 6 months less school than countries free of the disease. Second, I use variation in the deadliness and distribution of the two main malaria strains, P. falciparum and P. vivax, to investigate the mechanism through which malaria acts. While mortality risk does not appear to be a factor, I find evidence that malaria-induced morbidity affects schooling investments through the household fertility decision. I would like to thank my adviser, Grant Miller, for generously giving his time and lending his expertise. His guidance made this thesis possible. I also thank Hoyt Bleakley for his valuable suggestions and Jimmy Cassis for hi