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Poverty reduction in a refugee-hosting economy: A natural experiment

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  • Maystadt, Jean-Francois

Abstract

The role of migration in reducing poverty in developing countries has been investigated mainly from the perspective of migrants and their relatives. This paper exploits the time and spatial variations in the way households in the region of Kagera (Tanzania) traced between 1991 and 2004 have been affected by massive refugee inflows to assess how migration may affect poverty in the hosting communities. Large population inflows from Burundi and Rwanda have improved the welfare of the hosting population, particularly for the poor. Despite the process of structural transformation observed in the refugee-hosting economy, such pro-poor development is mainly explained by improved agricultural labor productivity and income diversification among the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Maystadt, Jean-Francois, 2011. "Poverty reduction in a refugee-hosting economy: A natural experiment," IFPRI discussion papers 1132, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1132
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    Cited by:

    1. Isabel Ruiz & Carlos Vargas‐Silva, 2018. "The impact of hosting refugees on the intra‐household allocation of tasks: A gender perspective," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 1461-1488, November.
    2. Morley, Samuel & Piñeiro, Valeria & Robinson, Sherman, 2011. "External shocks and policy alternatives in small open economies: The case of El Salvador," IFPRI discussion papers 1134, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Takeshima, Hiroyuki & Salau, Sheu, 2011. "How does ownership of farm implements affect investment in other farm implements when farmers' liquidity constraint is relaxed?: Insights from Nigeria," IFPRI discussion papers 1133, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Hoddinott, John, 2011. "Agriculture, health, and nutrition: Toward conceptualizing the linkages," 2020 conference briefs 2, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    5. Isabel Ruiz & Carlos Vargas‐Silva, 2018. "The impact of hosting refugees on the intra‐household allocation of tasks: A gender perspective," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 1461-1488, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Migration; Poverty; Refugees; Structural transformation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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