Work

Environmental Migration and Labor Markets in Nepal

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: While an emerging literature cites weather shocks as migration determinants, scant evidence exists on how such migration affects the markets of receiving communities in developing countries. We address this knowledge gap by investigating the impact of weather-driven internal migration on labor markets in Nepal. An increase of 1 percentage point in net migration reduces wages in the formal sector by 5.7%. A similar change in migration augments unemployment by 1 percentage point. The unskilled bear greater consequences. Understanding entrepreneurial constraints and drivers of labor market exits will inform pathways to resilience.

Source: Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists

DOI: 10.1086/684579

Authors: Jean-François Maystadt, Valerie Mueller, Ashwini Sebastian

Institutions: Lancaster University, KU Leuven, International Food Policy Research Institute, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, No poverty

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, International Fine Particle Research Institute, KU Leuven, Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers