Impact of Migration on Child Growth in Albania and Macedonia
Impact of Migration on Child Growth in Albania and Macedonia

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): Social development, Health and medicine and law, Family and social welfare, Demography and human biology, Migration Studies
Published by: Аналитика Тинк-тенк Организација
Keywords: Migration; Remittances; Albania; Macedonia; Child health; Children growth; Obesity;
Summary/Abstract: Albania and Macedonia are two Western Balkan countries that are characterised by high emigration and remittance dependency rates that appear to have affected the development of these countries across different socio-economic and cultural dimensions. Child growth in particular is one of these important outcomes. This paper uses a survey administered to mothers in Albania and Macedonia to investigate whether migration and remittances have had any impact on child growth in these countries. Child growth indicators, such as body mass index, weight, height, stunting and obesity dummies, together with child health inputs, such as the frequency of visiting the doctor, chronic diseases and reasons for not going to the doctor, are used as left-hand side variables. The paper finds that while migration has led to less stunting and increased height in Albania, in Macedonia, it seems to have led to increased weight and body mass index values and more obesity. These findings imply that exposure to international migration can have different consequences for these countries as Albania appears to have realised improvements in height and stature, while Macedonia has suffered from increased weight associated with increases in obesity.

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