Elsevier

Journal of Urban Economics

Volume 60, Issue 3, November 2006, Pages 357-371
Journal of Urban Economics

Climatic change and rural–urban migration: The case of sub-Saharan Africa

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2006.04.005Get rights and content

Abstract

We investigate the role that climatic change has played in the pattern of urbanization in sub-Saharan African countries compared to the rest of the developing world. To this end we assemble a cross-country panel data set that allows us to estimate the determinants of urbanization. The results of our econometric analysis suggest that climatic change, as proxied by rainfall, has acted to change urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa but not elsewhere in the developing world. Moreover, this link has become stronger since decolonization, which is likely due to the often simultaneous lifting of legislation prohibiting the free internal movement of native Africans.

References (37)

  • J. Brueckner

    Analyzing third world urbanization: A model with empirical evidence

    Economic Development and Cultural Change

    (1990)
  • E. El-Hinnawi, Environmental refugees, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi,...
  • M. Fay, C. Opal, Urbanization without growth: A not so uncommon phenomenon, Working paper 2412, World Bank,...
  • R. Gommes, F. Petrassi, Rainfall variability and drought in sub-Saharan Africa since 1960, FAO Agrometeorology Series 9...
  • J. Gugler

    Overurbanization reconsidered

    Economic Development and Cultural Change

    (1982)
  • J.R. Harris et al.

    Migration, unemployment and development: A two-sector analysis

    American Economic Review

    (1970)
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate change 2001: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability—Contribution of...
  • J. Jacobson

    Environmental refugees: A yardstick of habitability

    World Watch Paper

    (1988)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text