Roads and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa

Luisito Bertinelli, Evie Graus, Jean-François Maystadt and Silvia Peracchi
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Luisito Bertinelli: Department of Economics and Management, University of Luxembourg
Evie Graus: Department of Economics and Management, University of Luxembourg
Jean-François Maystadt: UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES)
Silvia Peracchi: UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES)

No 2025017, LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES from Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES)

Abstract: This paper examines the causal impact of road access on child health in Sub-Saharan Africa between 1980 and 2012 by combining geolocated data on child anthropometric outcomes with spatial data on road networks. To address endogeneity, we employ an instrumental variable approach based on the inconsequential units framework, constructing hypothetical road networks that connect historical cities and active mines. Our results show that closer proximity to paved roads significantly improves child health. The main mechanisms operate through improved healthcare access and utilization, higher household wealth, early signs of structural transformation, and cropland expansion. We find no evidence that these gains are offset by adverse environmental or epidemiological effects of improved road access. Overall, the findings underscore the role of road infrastructure in fostering development across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: roads; Sub-Saharan Africa; child health; causal analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 O15 O18 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-10-24
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ctl:louvir:2025017

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