Urbanization and educational attainment: Evidence from Africa

Despite the rapid urbanization of the developing world, little remains known about how urban migration and residency affect childhood outcomes. Using census data for 14 African countries combined with an age-at-move design, I show that childhood exposure to cities significantly increases primary school completion and literacy rates, even among children from poor urban households. Better availability of schools and lower opportunity costs of education in cities appear to be important channels to explain the positive effects. The paper thus provides evidence of a novel channel through which urban migration can promote economic development. • The paper investigates the effect of childhood urban migration in 14 African countries. • Childhood urban migration increases the educational attainment of children. • Effects are visible even for children in informal housing without access to public services. • Highlights the importance of studying children in developing world cities, who make up > 40% of urban population.