The human cost of China's industrial growth

This paper examines whether industrial growth during economic development is associated with a high workplace fatality rate by using panel data from China. Controlling for provincial and year fixed effects, our estimations show that provincial industrial growth has a positive impact on the workplace fatality rate. We also find that both the growth of industrial labor productivity and the growth of industrial employment have an impact on workplace fatalities. Our instrumental variable fixed effects estimations, which control for simultaneity, show an even greater effect of industrial growth on the fatality rate. Our empirical findings suggest that the Chinese government ought to reconsider its growth-centered policies to save lives.

Research highlights► Using data from China, we find that provincial industrial growth has a positive impact on the workplace fatality rate. ► Both the growth of industrial labor productivity and the growth of industrial employment have an impact. ► Our instrumental variable fixed effects estimations show an even greater effect. ► Our empirical findings suggest that the Chinese government ought to reconsider its growth-centered policies to save lives.