Measuring Regional Ethnolinguistic Diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Surveys vs. GIS

8 Pages Posted: 30 Aug 2016 Last revised: 26 Jan 2018

See all articles by Boris Gershman

Boris Gershman

American University - Department of Economics

Diego Rivera

American University - Department of Economics

Date Written: January 12, 2018

Abstract

This paper compares two approaches to measuring subnational ethnolinguistic diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa, one based on censuses and large-scale population surveys and the other relying on the use of geographic information systems (GIS). The two approaches yield sets of regional fractionalization indices that are moderately positively correlated, with a stronger association across rural areas. These differences matter for empirical analysis: in a common sample of regions, survey-based indices of deep-rooted diversity are more strongly negatively associated with a range of development indicators relative to their highest-quality GIS-based counterparts.

Keywords: African Development, Ethnolinguistic Diversity, GIS, Subnational Analysis

JEL Classification: O10, O15, Z13

Suggested Citation

Gershman, Boris and Rivera, Diego, Measuring Regional Ethnolinguistic Diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Surveys vs. GIS (January 12, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2831787 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2831787

Boris Gershman (Contact Author)

American University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8029
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.borisgershman.com

Diego Rivera

American University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016-8029
United States

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