Nadia Barbieri

This article analyses the seasonality of births in pre-industrial Bologna between 1729 and 1860, comparing the city and the surrounding countryside and integrating long-term demographic data with meteorological information. Using Henry’s indices and regression models for the period 1814-1860, the study examines the role of temperature and precipitation during the conception period. The results indicate a stable seasonal pattern over time, but one that is more pronounced in the countryside. Precipitation is associated with a reduction in births in rural areas, while climatic effects appear weaker in the urban context. The comparison highlights a differentiated sensitivity of births to environmental factors, consistent with the closer link between rural populations and the agricultural cycle.