Oil extraction and spillover effects into local labour market: Evidence from Ghana

This paper investigates the effects of oil extraction on local labour market outcomes. Using household-level data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey, we employ a difference-in-differences approach to show that oil extraction has negative spillover effects on employment but no significant effect on average income. However, the effects vary by migration status, gender and employment sector. Specifically, we observe that migrants, men and agricultural workers experienced significant income spillovers from the oil boom than locals, women and workers in other sectors. In addition, the oil boom resulted in a negative welfare impact as it widened inequality for individuals close to the extraction areas.