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Sophie and the locust curse: Effects of locust plague on human capital accumulation

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  • Bai Yu
  • Guojun He
  • Pak Hung Lam
  • Yanjun Li

Abstract

We investigate the impact of locust swarm invasions on human capital accumulation using data from Burkina Faso, emphasizing short-, medium-, and long-term effects. Using geo-coded data, we find that locust outbreaks reduce school enrollment of the affected cohorts in the short term, decrease their cognitive performance and educational attainment in the medium term, and lower adult incomes in the long run. Crop losses, rising food prices, and use of child labor during the locust crisis drive these effects. Early locust control proves to be a highly cost-effective way to promote education, costing just $7.63 per additional year of schooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Bai Yu & Guojun He & Pak Hung Lam & Yanjun Li, 2026. "Sophie and the locust curse: Effects of locust plague on human capital accumulation," TUPD Discussion Papers 80, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University.
    • Handle: RePEc:toh:tupdaa:80
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