Applied Micro Economics Seminar : The impact of natural hazards on risk attitudes and behaviour

Over the past decades, the number of natural disasters and their impact have been increasing. Especially in developing countries, the effects can be persistent. The poor have limited means to rebuild their houses or to pay medical bills. What is more, many poor people are self-employed, and a disaster may destroy not only their home but also their productive assets. Based on data from Nicaragua and Peru, we study the consequences of natural disasters for risk attitudes, demand for insurance and household welfare. We use both experimental data and dif-in-dif with propensity score matching.

Marrit works at WU Social Sciences, in the Development Economics. Her expertise is in Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Land Use Planning. Keywords she gives are household behaviour, poverty, risk management, rural development.

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Natascha Wagner