Gender Differences and the Impact of Parental Migration on Child Education in Ghana

This study uses longitudinal data to examine the educational performance—specifically self-reported grades in Science, English, and Mathematics—of male and female students in Ghana whose parents have either moved within the country or abroad. The study analyzes responses from 741 secondary school students over the years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Findings indicate that boys with at least one parent living internationally often attain grades that are similar to or better than those of their counterparts from non-migrant families. On the other hand, girls from migrant families typically do not exhibit significant differences in grades compared to girls from non-migrant backgrounds. A key risk factor highlighted in the study is the detrimental effect of parental divorce or separation on the academic outcomes of children from migrant families.