Heat Exposure and Youth Migration in Central America and the Caribbean
American Economic Review
vol. 107,
no. 5, May 2017
(pp. 446-50)
Abstract
We employ a triple difference-in-difference approach, using censuses and georeferenced temperature data, to quantify heat effects on internal migration in Central America and the Caribbean. A 1-standard deviation increase in heat would affect the lives of 7,314 and 1,578 unskilled young women and men. The effect is smaller than observed in response to droughts and hurricanes but could increase with climate change. Interestingly, youth facing heat waves are more likely to move to urban centers than when exposed to disasters endemic to the region. Research identifying the implications of these choices and interventions available to minimize distress migration is warranted.Citation
Baez, Javier, German Caruso, Valerie Mueller, and Chiyu Niu. 2017. "Heat Exposure and Youth Migration in Central America and the Caribbean." American Economic Review, 107 (5): 446-50. DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20171053Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- J11 Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
- O13 Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming