From riches to risks: uncovering the impact of dependence on natural resource rents on child mortality
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2024-07-14
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en
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Child health is a crucial determinant of a nation's future; however, it does not always appear to be the priority of governments which are increasingly dependent on natural resource revenues. This thesis examines the impact of the dependence on natural resources on child mortality when accounting for four latent variables. An SEM model is estimated using data concerning 92 countries from 2002 to 2020.
Using the SEM model, the direct and indirect effects of dependence on natural resource rents on child mortality are estimated. The results show that an increase in dependence on natural resource rents leads to an increase in child mortality and that dependence on natural resource rents thus has a negative effect on child health. Political factors, such as citizens' perception of the government, and social factors, such as schooling, are identified as crucial pathways through which the relationship operates. These results suggest that when aiming to reduce child mortality, safety measures regarding the prevention of accidents and malnutrition have to be taken, but indirect pathways also have to be improved. Increasing school attendance rates and improving the governance of a country can significantly reduce child mortality in countries that are increasingly dependent on natural resources.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen