Exploring the Linkages Between Climate Change, Food Security, Economic Growth, and Migration in Selected Countries

This study explores the relationships among climate change, food security, economic growth, and migration in the nine countries with the lowest rankings on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Index. It identifies the most vulnerable countries to climate change and the least prepared, using panel data from 1999 to 2022. The results show a bidirectional causal relationship between climate change and food security. Climate change worsens food insecurity by reducing agricultural productivity, which in turn drives up food prices. Conversely, agricultural policies aimed at increasing production can contribute to climate change if implemented unsustainably. A bidirectional causal relationship has been identified between climate change, food security, and migration. Finally, a bidirectional causal relationship has also been determined between economic growth, climate change, and migration. Changes in economic growth affect sectors, the labor market, and overall well-being, which in turn influence migration decisions. All these findings provide policymakers with valuable guidance for developing sustainable strategies that consider climate change, effectively manage migration, and prioritize food security. The findings indicate that climate change, food security, economic growth, and migration cannot be addressed in isolation; therefore, a holistic policy approach should be adopted.