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Local Economic Growth and Infant Mortality

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  • Andreas Kammerlander
  • Günther G. Schulze

Abstract

We show, for the first time, a causal effect of local economic growth on infant mortality. We use geo-referenced data for non-migrating mothers from 46 developing countries and 128 DHS survey rounds and combine it with nighttime luminosity data at a granular level. Using mother fixed effects we show that an increase in local economic activity significantly reduces the probability that the same mother loses a further child before its first birthday.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Kammerlander & Günther G. Schulze, 2021. "Local Economic Growth and Infant Mortality," CESifo Working Paper Series 9315, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_9315
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    local economic growth; child mortality; nighttime lights;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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