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Gendered migration responses to drought in Malawi

Author

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  • Luis G. BECERRA - VALBUENA

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Katrin MILLOCK

    (Paris School of Economics)

Abstract

Migration is a common means of adaptation to weather shocks. Previous research has identified heterogeneous effects according to age, sex, and wealth, but little is still known about how marriage-related institutions affect such migration. Relying on a quasi-experimental identification strategy, we analyze marriage- and work-related migration in Malawi following large droughts, separating the effects for female and male migrants according to different age groups. The analysis based on stated motives of migration reveals marginal decreases in marriage-related migration among girls, but increases in marriage-related migration within districts for women in older age groups. We also find large increases in work-related between-district migration for boys, and to a smaller extent also for girls following severe drought. The results add to the evidence of the potentially adverse effects of migration as a coping mechanism following drought when other means of insurance do not exist.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis G. BECERRA - VALBUENA & Katrin MILLOCK, 2021. "Gendered migration responses to drought in Malawi," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(3), pages 437-477, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:87:y:2021:i:3:p:437-477
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2021.8
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    2. Maria Sassi, 2024. "Migration Dynamics in Rejaf Payam, South Sudan: Inbound and Outbound Patterns and Impact on Those Left Behind," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Chhanda Ruj & Aloke Majumdar & Somnath Ghosal, 2022. "Political ecology and hydrosocial relation: a study on drought and associated migration in a semi-arid district of West Bengal, India," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 709-734, December.
    4. Lanati, Mauro & Sanfilippo, Marco & Santi, Filippo, 2023. "Aid and internal migration in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child marriage; Climate change; Droughts; Internal migration; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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