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Does Harmful Climate Increase Or Decrease Migration? Evidence From Rural Households In Nigeria

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  • CRISTINA CATTANEO

    (RFF-CMCC European Institute on the Economy and the Environment (EIEE), CMCC, Via Bergognone 34, 20144 Milano, Italy2Georgia Institute of Technology, 685 Cherry St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0345, USA)

  • EMANUELE MASSETTI

    (RFF-CMCC European Institute on the Economy and the Environment (EIEE), CMCC, Via Bergognone 34, 20144 Milano, Italy2Georgia Institute of Technology, 685 Cherry St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0345, USA)

Abstract

This paper analyzes whether migration is an adaptation strategy that households employ to cope with climate in Nigeria. We estimate our model using the cross-sectional variation in climate and long-term migration decisions because we are interested in the average response to long-term climatic conditions. For households that operate farms, we find that the relationship between climate and migration is nonlinear. In particular, climates closer to ideal farming conditions are associated with a higher propensity to migrate, whereas in the least favorable climatic conditions, the propensity to migrate declines. The marginal effect of rainfall and temperature changes on migration varies by season. We estimate the impact of climate change on the number of migrant households in 2031–2060 and 2071–2100, ceteris paribus. With current population levels, climate change generates between 3.6 and 6.3 million additional migrants, most of them being internal. However, these estimates are not statistically significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Cattaneo & Emanuele Massetti, 2019. "Does Harmful Climate Increase Or Decrease Migration? Evidence From Rural Households In Nigeria," Climate Change Economics (CCE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(04), pages 1-36, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ccexxx:v:10:y:2019:i:04:n:s2010007819500131
    DOI: 10.1142/S2010007819500131
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