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Does irrigation reduce migration intentions after drought? Evidence from West Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Debray, Alix
  • Dehouck, Lucile
  • Millock, Katrin
  • Ruyssen, Ilse

Abstract

This paper investigates whether irrigation mitigates migration intentions following drought in West Africa, addressing the limited focus on in situ adaptation within the climate – migration literature. We combine individual-level data from the Gallup World Poll with geo-referenced drought intensity and satellite-based estimates of irrigation coverage across 13 West African countries. Our findings show that drought increases migration intentions among rural households, especially in arid regions. Irrigation does not generally offset this effect, a finding robust to controls for conflict, remittances, aid, and alternative drought and irrigation measures. However, irrigation coverage becomes relevant under prolonged droughts and affects income groups differently: irrigation moderates drought-driven migration for the richest households but has no significant impact on other groups. Irrigation thus rarely substitutes for migration as an adaptation to drought, but instead reveals how in situ and mobility-based responses to climate stress are interlinked.

Suggested Citation

  • Debray, Alix & Dehouck, Lucile & Millock, Katrin & Ruyssen, Ilse, 2026. "Does irrigation reduce migration intentions after drought? Evidence from West Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:182:y:2026:i:c:s0304387826000891
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103806
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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