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Mobile phone coverage and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Flückiger, Matthias
  • Ludwig, Markus

Abstract

Infant mortality is still high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mobile phone technology has the potential to reduce mortality by facilitating the exchange of information. To test for effects, we combine georeferenced information on mobile phone signal coverage with infant mortality data on 1,268,041 children born in 30 Sub-Saharan African countries between 1999–2016. Our results reveal that infant mortality risk drops substantially as mobile phone coverage expands. Infants are 0.9 percentage points less likely to die within the first year after birth compared to their sibling(s) when mobile phone signal is available. In line with this result, we also find that fertility rates decline with the rollout of mobile coverage. Suggestive evidence indicates that improved health knowledge is relevant in explaining our findings. Mobile-phone related changes in access to in-person healthcare services or improvements in income opportunities, on the other hand, are unlikely to play an important role.

Suggested Citation

  • Flückiger, Matthias & Ludwig, Markus, 2023. "Mobile phone coverage and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 462-485.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:211:y:2023:i:c:p:462-485
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.05.013
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mobile phone coverage; Infant mortality; Fertility; Information; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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