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Child growth and refugee status: evidence from Syrian migrants in Turkey

Author

Listed:
  • Murat DEMIRCI

    (Koç University)

  • Andrew D. FOSTER

    (Brown University)

  • Murat G. KIRDAR

    (Boğaziçi University)

Abstract

This study examines disparities in health and nutrition among native and Syrian refugee children in Turkey. To understand the need for targeted programs addressing child well-being among the refugee population, we analyze the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) – which provides representative data for a large refugee and native population. We find no evidence of a difference in infant or child mortality between refugee children born in Turkey and native children. However, refugee infants born in Turkey have lower birthweight and age-adjusted weight and height than native infants. When we account for a rich set of birth and socioeconomic characteristics that display substantial differences between natives and refugees, the gaps in birthweight and age-adjusted height persist, but the gap in age-adjusted weight disappears. Moreover, the remaining gaps in birthweight and anthropometric outcomes are limited to the lower end of the distribution. The observed gaps are even larger for refugee infants born before migrating to Turkey, suggesting that the remaining deficits reflect conditions in the source country before migration rather than deficits in access to health services within Turkey. Finally, comparing children by the country of their first trimester, we find evidence of the detrimental effects of stress exposure during pregnancy.

Suggested Citation

  • Murat DEMIRCI & Andrew D. FOSTER & Murat G. KIRDAR, 2024. "Child growth and refugee status: evidence from Syrian migrants in Turkey," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 90(3), pages 486-520, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:90:y:2024:i:3:p:486-520
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2024.12
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Cortina Toro,Magdalena & Jimenez,Juan Miguel & Rozo Villarraga,Sandra Viviana, 2024. "Little Nomads : Economic and Social Impacts of Migration on Children," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10686, The World Bank.
    3. Gökçe, Merve Betül & Kırdar, Murat Güray, 2025. "The effects of civil war and forced migration on intimate partner violence among Syrian refugee women in Jordan," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    4. Hiller,Tatiana & Moya,Andrés & Rozo, Sandra, 2024. "Thriving beyond Borders ? Understanding Refugee Children’s Life Outcomes," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10765, The World Bank.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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