Christoph Deuster - Migration, Human Capital and Climate Change

Le Recteur de l'Université catholique de Louvain fait savoir que

M. Christoph Deuster

soutiendra publiquement sa dissertation pour l'obtention du titre de

Docteur en sciences économiques et de gestion

« Migration, Human Capital, and Climate Change ».

Summary

This thesis investigates the relationship between climate change, human capital accumulation, and migration at various spatial scales. The first chapter analyzes the factors influencing the geographic distribution of skills and their implications for global inequality. A theoretical world economy model is developed that produces unified projections of population and income for the 21st century. In the second chapter, this model is extended and includes channels through which temperature and sea-level rise affect productivity and individual mobility. The third chapter investigates the specific links between climate change and human capital formation in Africa. A theoretical model illustrating these links is developed and empirically validated by a panel data analysis. Finally, the fourth chapter revisits the implications of international migration for human capital accumulation and inequality. A new dyadic approach is proposed that establishes the micro-foundations of the relationship between higher education and migration decisions. The findings of this thesis emphasize the importance of policies that improve access to all levels of education, enhance education quality, and contribute to sustainable urban development. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that the links between migration, human capital accumulation, and climate change are complex and require a multidimensional analysis.

Jury

Professeur Catia Batista, Nova University Lisbon, co-promoteur

Professeur Frédéric Docquier, UCLouvain, co-promoteur et secrétaire

Professeur José Tavares, Nova University Lisbon, président

Professeur Fabio Mariani, UCLouvain

Professeur Michel Beine, University of Luxembourg