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The Impact of Weather Anomalies on Migration in sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Luca MARCHIORI

    (Central Bank of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, and IRES, Université catholique de Louvain)

  • Jean-François MAYSTADT

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington)

  • Ingmar SCHUMACHER

    (Central Bank of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, and Department of Economics, École Polytechnique, Paris)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of weather anomalies on migration in sub-Saharan Africa. Theoretically, we show how weather anomalies induce rural-urban migration that subsequently triggers international migration. We distinguish two transmission channels, an amenity and an economic geography channel. Empirically, based on annual, cross-country panel data for sub-Saharan Africa, our results suggest that weather anomalies increased internal and international migration through both channels. We estimate that temperature and rainfall anomalies caused a total displacement of 5 million people in net terms during the period 1960-2000, i.e. a minimum of 130’000 people every year. Further weather anomalies, based on IPCC projections on climate change, could lead to an additional annual displacement of 11 million people by the end of the 21st century.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca MARCHIORI & Jean-François MAYSTADT & Ingmar SCHUMACHER, 2011. "The Impact of Weather Anomalies on Migration in sub-Saharan Africa," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2011034, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvir:2011034
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International migration; urbanization; rural-urban migration; weather anomalies; sub-Saharan Africa.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R13 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies

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