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Socio-Economic Determinants of Crime: Further Evidence from Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Sunday Osahon Igbinedion

    (University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria)

  • Ikponwosa Ebomoyi

    (University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria)

Abstract

This study examines the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of crime in Nigeria, using error-correction modelling approach for 1981-2015. The results indicate that the twin macroeconomic problems of inflation and unemployment positively impact on crime rate in Nigeria. The level of education was also found to be significant and negatively related to crime rates, suggesting that education not only make people risk averse, but also indirectly alters individual’s decision to adopt criminal behaviour. Also, the one-period lagged value of average income was significant and negatively related to crime rate, suggesting that, appreciable increase in per capita income tends to reduce the incentive to commit crime. Accordingly, the study recommends, among others, the need for the relevant authorities to design and implement policy measures aimed at combating the twin evil of inflation and unemployment on the one hand, and increasing the level of education and schooling, especially among the indigent.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunday Osahon Igbinedion & Ikponwosa Ebomoyi, 2017. "Socio-Economic Determinants of Crime: Further Evidence from Nigeria," Annals of the University of Petrosani, Economics, University of Petrosani, Romania, vol. 17(1), pages 101-114.
    • Handle: RePEc:pet:annals:v:17:y:2017:i:1:p:101-114
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Ajide, Folorunsho M., 2021. "Fiscal Policy and Crime Rate in Nigeria," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 9(4), September.
    2. Ajide Folorunsho M., 2019. "Institutional Quality, Economic Misery and Crime Rate in Nigeria," Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 33(1), pages 170-182, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    crime; misery index; demographics time series; Nigeria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • N3 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy

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