First and Second Generation Impacts of the Biafran War

69 Pages Posted: 21 Aug 2017 Last revised: 15 May 2023

See all articles by Richard Akresh

Richard Akresh

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Sonia Bhalotra

University of Essex

Marinella Leone

University of Sussex

Una Okonkwo Osili

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

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Date Written: August 2017

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.

Suggested Citation

Akresh, Richard and Bhalotra, Sonia and Leone, Marinella and Osili, Una Okonkwo, First and Second Generation Impacts of the Biafran War (August 2017). NBER Working Paper No. w23721, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3023119

Richard Akresh (Contact Author)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ( email )

601 E John St
Champaign, IL Champaign 61820
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Sonia Bhalotra

University of Essex ( email )

Wivenhoe Park
Colchester, CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

Marinella Leone

University of Sussex ( email )

Sussex House
Falmer
Brighton, Sussex BNI 9RH
United Kingdom

Una Okonkwo Osili

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) ( email )

1309 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States

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