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Take the Highway? Paved Roads and Well-Being in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Elodie Djemai

    (Université Paris-Dauphine, PSL Research University, IRD, LEDa, DIAL)

  • Andrew E. Clark

    (Paris School of Economics - CNRS)

  • Conchita D'Ambrosio

    (Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, University of Luxembourg)

Abstract
Public Goods aim to improve individual welfare. We investigate the causal consequences of roads on well-being for 24 African countries, instrumenting paved roads by 19th Century hypothetical lines between major ports and cities. We have data on over 32000 individuals, and consider both their objective and subjective well-being. Roads reduce material deprivation, in terms of access to basic needs. But at the same time those closer to roads evaluate their living conditions as being worse. This suggests that roads are a double-edged sword in Africa, either being associated with worse outcomes in non basic-needs domains, or increasing individuals' aspirations.

Suggested Citation

  • Elodie Djemai & Andrew E. Clark & Conchita D'Ambrosio, 2020. "Take the Highway? Paved Roads and Well-Being in Africa," Working Papers DT/2020/11, DIAL (Développement, Institutions et Mondialisation).
    • Handle: RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt202011
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Roads; Subjective Well-being; Basic Needs; Material Deprivation; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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