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Hunger Games: First and Second Generation Impacts of the Biafran War

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Akresh

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Sonia Bhalotra

    (University of Essex)

  • Marinella Leone

    (Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex)

  • Una Osili

    (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)

Abstract

We analyze long-term impacts of the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War, providing the first evidence of intergenerational impacts. Women exposed to the war in their growing years exhibit reduced adult stature, increased likelihood of being overweight, earlier age at first birth, and lower educational attainment. Exposure to a primary education program mitigates impacts of war exposure on education. War exposed men marry later and have fewer children. War exposure of mothers (but not fathers) has adverse impacts on child growth, survival, and education. Impacts vary with age of exposure. For mother and child health, the largest impacts stem from adolescent exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Akresh & Sonia Bhalotra & Marinella Leone & Una Osili, 2017. "Hunger Games: First and Second Generation Impacts of the Biafran War," HiCN Working Papers 254, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:254
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intergenerational; Conflict; Human capital; Fetal origins; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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