Landmines: The local effects of demining

Mounu Prem, Miguel E. Purroy and Juan F. Vargas

Journal of Public Economics, 2025, vol. 247, issue C

Abstract: Anti-personnel landmines pose a significant barrier to long-term development, threatening lives and obstructing mobility, preventing agricultural investments, market access and schooling. By analyzing geolocated data on demining operations in Colombia and taking advantage of its staggered implementation, we show that comprehensive humanitarian demining, involving affected communities, significantly boosts economic activity and population density, particularly in areas with better market access. We also observe improved academic achievement partially due to access to a better educational environment. Finally, demining reduces coca plantations, with no impact on extractive economic activities.

Keywords: Landmines; Demining; Conflict; Peace; Local development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D74 I25 P48 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0047272725000970

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2025.105399

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