Sandra Rozo (World Bank)

Thriving Beyond Borders:  Understanding Refugee Children’s Life Outcomes

Abstract. By 2023, over 108 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with children under 18 constituting 41\%. This study examines the effects of forced migration on human capital development in migrant children and identifies factors influencing their integration into host communities. To do this, the study collects a unique and comprehensive longitudinal dataset of approximately 3,000 individuals. This dataset includes Venezuelan children displaced by force and Colombian host children, aged between 5 and 17, living in Medellín, Colombia. The study evaluates disparities between migrant and host children in cognitive skills, socioemotional and mental health, anthropometrics, and integration measures. It also investigates how service access and prosocial behaviors affect these differences. Findings show significant developmental lags in migrant children, particularly in anthropometrics and cognitive skills, compared to their Colombian counterparts. Interestingly, mental health outcomes did not significantly differ between the groups. The extent of these developmental gaps is closely linked to the availability of public services and household participation in regularization programs.