The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Education

53 Pages Posted: 16 Dec 2015

See all articles by Valeria Groppo

Valeria Groppo

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

Kati Krähnert

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

Date Written: December 11, 2015

Abstract

This paper analyzes the short- and long-term impact of extreme weather events on educational outcomes in Mongolia. Our focus is on two extremely severe winters that caused mass livestock mortality. We use household panel data with comprehensive retrospective information on households’ historic experience with weather shocks. Exposure to the weather shock significantly reduces the likelihood of being enrolled in mandatory school two to three years after the shock. Similarly, it significantly reduces the probability of completing basic education ten to eleven years after the shock. Both effects are driven by children from herding households. Results are robust to measuring shock intensity with district-level livestock mortality and climate data as well as household-level livestock losses. Exposure to weather shocks during preschool age (as opposed to exposure during primary and secondary school age) yields the worst consequences for educational attainment. Overall, the evidence points toward income effects as the channel through which the shock impacts education.

Keywords: human capital accumulation, weather shocks, Mongolia

JEL Classification: I25, Q54, O12

Suggested Citation

Groppo, Valeria and Krähnert, Kati, The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Education (December 11, 2015). DIW Berlin Discussion Paper No. 1534, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2704253 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2704253

Valeria Groppo

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

Kati Krähnert (Contact Author)

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

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