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Extreme Temperature And Extreme Violence: Evidence From Russia

Author

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  • Vladimir Otrachshenko
  • Olga Popova
  • José Tavares

Abstract

We study the relationship between extreme temperatures and violent mortality, employing novel regional panel data from Russia. We find that extremely hot temperatures increase violent mortality, while extremely cold temperatures have no effect. The impact of hot temperature on violence is unequal across gender and age groups, rises noticeably during weekends, and leads to considerable social costs. Our findings also suggest that better job opportunities and lower vodka consumption may decrease this impact. The results underscore that economic policies need to target vulnerable population groups to mitigate the adverse impact of extreme temperatures. (JEL Q54, I14, K42)

Suggested Citation

  • Vladimir Otrachshenko & Olga Popova & José Tavares, 2021. "Extreme Temperature And Extreme Violence: Evidence From Russia," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(1), pages 243-262, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:59:y:2021:i:1:p:243-262
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paulo M.M. Rodrigues & Dhruv Akshay Pandit & Miguel de Castro Neto, 2025. "Socio-economic sensitivity to weather extremes: A scoping review of European research," Working Papers w202527, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.
    2. Sefa Awaworyi Churchill & Russell Smyth & Trong‐Anh Trinh, 2023. "Crime, Weather and Climate Change in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 99(324), pages 84-107, March.
    3. Huang, Yi & Li, Yanjun, 2023. "Labor activism over searing heat," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    4. Kerstin Katharina Zander & Duy Nguyen & Stephen Thomas Garnett, 2025. "A decade of German heatwave data reveals shift in local impact perception," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(5), pages 1-26, June.
    5. Vladimir Otrachshenko & Olga Popova, 2022. "Does Weather Sharpen Income Inequality in Russia?," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 68(S1), pages 193-223, April.
    6. Yu Shen & Wenkai Sun, 2025. "The winter depression: coal heating and mental health in China," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(1), pages 1-32, March.
    7. Belloc, Ignacio & Gimenez-Nadal, José Ignacio & Molina, José Alberto, 2025. "Extreme temperatures: Gender differences in well-being," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    8. Vladimir Otrachshenko & Olga Popova & Nargiza Alimukhamedova, 2024. "Rainfall variability and labor allocation in Uzbekistan: the role of women’s empowerment," Post-Soviet Affairs, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 119-138, March.
    9. Niekamp, Paul & Ketterling, Lyndsey, 2025. "Home alone: Schooling and the effect of child access prevention laws on juvenile firearm-related homicide," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    10. Hartwell, Christopher A. & Otrachshenko, Vladimir & Popova, Olga, 2021. "Waxing power, waning pollution: The effect of COVID-19 on Russian environmental policymaking," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    11. Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Otrachshenko, Vladimir & Popova, Olga, 2024. "Natural Disasters and Acceptance of Intimate Partner Violence: The Global Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 17172, IZA Network @ LISER.
    12. Li, Xue & Smyth, Russell & Yao, Yao, 2023. "Extreme temperatures and out-of-pocket medical expenditure: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    13. Aribah Aslam & M. Ali & Ghulam Ghouse, 2024. "Are religion and happiness on same side?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 2837-2854, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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