Working Paper: NBER ID: w23721
Authors: Richard Akresh; Sonia Bhalotra; Marinella Leone; Una O. Osili
Abstract: We analyze long-term impacts of the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War, providing the first evidence of intergenerational impacts. Women exposed to the war in their growing years exhibit reduced adult stature, increased likelihood of being overweight, earlier age at first birth, and lower educational attainment. Exposure to a primary education program mitigates impacts of war exposure on education. War exposed men marry later and have fewer children. War exposure of mothers (but not fathers) has adverse impacts on child growth, survival, and education. Impacts vary with age of exposure. For mother and child health, the largest impacts stem from adolescent exposure.
Keywords: Biafran War; Intergenerational impacts; Human capital; Educational attainment; Child health
JEL Codes: I12; I25; J13; O12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Biafran War exposure during formative years (N47) | women's height (J16) |
| Biafran War exposure during formative years (N47) | likelihood of being overweight for women (J21) |
| Biafran War exposure during formative years (N47) | educational attainment (I21) |
| Biafran War exposure during adolescence (I39) | child mortality rates (J13) |
| Biafran War exposure during adolescence (I39) | likelihood of being stunted (I32) |
| Biafran War exposure during adolescence (I39) | likelihood of being underweight (I32) |
| Universal Primary Education program exposure (I24) | negative impacts of war on education (I25) |
| Maternal exposure to war (H56) | child outcomes (J13) |
| Paternal exposure to war (H56) | child outcomes (J13) |
| Biafran War exposure (N47) | delayed family formation for men (J12) |