Overcrowding in British cities in 1904

Arbeitspapier

This paper presents an analysis of housing conditions amongst the British urban working class in 1904, using a re-discovered survey. We investigate overcrowding and we find major regional differences. Scottish households were more overcrowded despite being less poor. Investigating the causes of this overcrowding, we find little support for supply-side theories, and none for the idea that Scottish households experienced particularly great variations in income, causing them to commit to overly modest accommodation. However, the Scottish tenancy and local tax laws are probably important in explaining the overcrowding. We provide evidence that Scottish workers generally spent their rent reduction entirely on food, rather than saving.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 3199

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Soziale Probleme, Sozialdienste, Versicherungen ; Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: Europe: Pre-1913
• Subject: Poverty ; rent ; overcrowding ; Scotland ; Bowley ; Städtische Wohnungsversorgung ; Armut ; Miete ; Sozialgeschichte ; Großbritannien ; Schottland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gazeley, Ian ; Newell, Andrew
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2007

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/34914
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET