Do Disease Epidemics Stimulate or Repress Entrepreneurial Activity?

Abstract

This study addresses a unique angle by examining an under looked determinant of entrepreneurship related to disease epidemics. In times of natural disasters, such as disease epidemics, new demands emerge that might promote entrepreneurship. Using data on a large cross section of countries, we empirically test whether and to what extent the incidence and severity of disease epidemics affect the prevalence of entrepreneurship. The results show that both the occurrence and severity of epidemics spur entrepreneurial activity. These results highlight a potentially important role served by entrepreneurs in responding to biological disasters. Our findings withstand a series of robustness checks.