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The effects of migration and pollution on cognitive skills in Caribbean economies: a theoretical analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2020

Lesly Cassin Open the ORCID record for Lesly Cassin [Opens in a new window]
Lesly Cassin*
Affiliation:
EconomiX (UMR CNRS 7235-UPX), Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre France
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: lcassin@parisnanterre.fr
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Abstract

This work examines the interaction between demographic features and environmental constraints in Caribbean small island developing states. Specifically, it aims to clarify human capital dynamics when migration and environmental quality matter. To do so, two main ingredients are introduced in an overlapping generations model: countries may benefit from migration through a brain gain or remittances, and production emits pollution that hinders the accumulation of human capital. Two cases emerge from the analysis. In the first case, an environmental policy is sufficient to correct the externality, and migration should stay at a relatively low level. In the second case, if pollution emissions are high relative to the effectiveness of environmental policy, migration leads to an increase in per capita output and human capital. This only happens if the emigration rate is already high, because it leads to a reduction in demographic pressure on the environment.

Keywords

pollutiondevelopmentmigrationCaribbean islands

JEL classification

Q01: Sustainable Development Q56: Environment and Development • Environment and Trade • Sustainability • Environmental Accounts and Accounting • Environmental Equity • Population Growth F24: Remittances J24: Human Capital • Skills • Occupational Choice • Labor Productivity
Type
Research Article
Information
Environment and Development Economics , Volume 25 , Special Issue 6: The Environment, Resources and Pollution – New Challenges for Economic Development , December 2020 , pp. 657 - 686
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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