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The effects of migration and pollution on cognitive skills in Caribbean economies: a theoretical analysis

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  • Lesly Cassin

    (Université Paris Nanterre)

Abstract

This work analyses the interaction between demographic features and environmental constraints in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States. More specifically, it aims to clarify the impact of migration in the presence of pollution. To do so, an Intergenerational model is developed to reproduce the characteristics of these countries, which are highly dependent on migration gains such as brain gain or remittances. Moreover, production emits pollution that hinders the accumulation of human capital. Two cases emerge from the analysis, in the first an environmental policy is sufficient to correct the externality and in this case migration implies the same mechanisms as in the case without pollution. In the second case, if pollution emissions are high relative to the effectiveness of environmental policy, migration leads to an increase in per capita output and human capital. This only happens if the emigration rate is already high, because it leads to a reduction in demographic pressure on the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lesly Cassin, 2020. "The effects of migration and pollution on cognitive skills in Caribbean economies: a theoretical analysis," Working Papers 2020.03, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:fae:wpaper:2020.03
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Destrée, Nicolas & Gente, Karine & Nourry, Carine, 2021. "Migration, remittances and accumulation of human capital with endogenous debt constraints," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 38-60.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pollution; Development; Caribbean Islands; Migration; Remittances;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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