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on Development |
| By: | Daron Acemoglu; Simon Johnson |
| Abstract: | Bloom, Canning, and Fink (2014) argue that the results in Acemoglu and Johnson (2006, 2007) are not robust because initial level of life expectancy (in 1940) should be included in our regressions of changes in GDP per capita on changes in life expectancy. We assess their claims controlling for potential lagged effects of initial life expectancy using data from 1900, employing a nonlinear estimator suggested by their framework, and using information from microeconomic estimates on the effects of improving health. There is no evidence for a positive effect of life expectancy on GDP per capita in this important historical episode. |
| JEL: | I15 N40 O15 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20064&r=dev |
| By: | Atkinson, A.B. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the distribution of top incomes in 15 former British colonies in Africa, drawing on evidence available from income tax records. It seeks to throw light on the position of colonial elites during the period of British rule. Just how uneq |
| Keywords: | inequality, income distribution, colonial Africa |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2014-045&r=dev |
| By: | Margaret S. McMillan; Kenneth Harttgen |
| Abstract: | We show that much of Africa’s recent growth and poverty reduction can be traced to a substantive decline in the share of the labor force engaged in agriculture. This decline has been accompanied by a systematic increase in the productivity of the labor force, as it has moved from low productivity agriculture to higher productivity manufacturing and services. These declines have been more rapid in countries where the initial share of the labor force engaged in agriculture is the highest and where commodity price increases have been accompanied by improvements in the quality of governance. |
| JEL: | O13 O4 Q16 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20077&r=dev |
| By: | Philipp Hühne; Birgit Meyer; Peter Nunnenkamp |
| Abstract: | Our empirical estimations indicate that aid-for-trade granted by OECD donors strengthens the trade relations of recipient countries with other developing countries. By focusing on South-South trade we mitigate endogeneity concerns that have plagued analyses of trade between recipients and donors of aid-for-trade |
| Keywords: | South-South trade, aid effectiveness, aid-for-trade |
| JEL: | F14 F35 |
| Date: | 2014–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kie:kieliw:1918&r=dev |
| By: | Berthelemy, Jean-Claude; Thuilliez, Josselin |
| Abstract: | Malaria still claims a heavy human and economic toll, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa. Even though the causality between malaria and poverty is presumably bi-directional, malaria plays a role in the economic difficulties of the region. This article pro |
| Keywords: | malaria, poverty, economic epidemiology |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2014-047&r=dev |
| By: | Amao, Ifeoluwapo; Akinlade, Roseline |
| Abstract: | The study examined the gender dimension of child labour among horticultural households in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data were collected on child, household and community characteristics. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the multinomial logit regression model at p=0.05. Results showed that more female children were attending school only (29.30%) than males (18.85%). Male children participated more in work outside the home such as work on family farm (74.62%) while females were involved in household chores (56.69%) they also spent more time in these activities than in school. Increasing age of both male and female children increases the likelihood of their involvement in child labour. Household ownership of farmland increases the likelihood of male children being in all the activity options. For female children, increasing number of preschool aged children (0-4 years) in the household increases the likelihood of their working full time. The study therefore appeals that considering both gender, children in horticultural households of Bauchi State should be encouraged to stay in school to achieve at least the specified nine years of basic education. |
| Keywords: | Child labour, Horticultural households, Gender perspective, Schooling, Bauchi State, Nigeria. |
| JEL: | J13 |
| Date: | 2014–05–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:55708&r=dev |
| By: | Amin, Mohammad; Islam, Asif |
| Abstract: | This paper uses firm-level data for 87 developing countries to analyze how the likelihood of a firm having female vs. male top manager varies across sectors. The service sector is often considered to be more favorable toward women compared with men vis-à-vis the manufacturing sector. Although the exploration of the data confirms a significantly higher presence of female managers in services vs. manufacturing, the finding is entirely driven by retail firms, with little contribution from other service sectors, such as wholesale, construction, and other services. The analysis also finds that the higher presence of female managers in the retail sector vs. manufacturing is much higher among the relatively small firms and firms located in the relatively small cities. These findings could serve as useful inputs for the design of optimal policy measures aimed at promoting gender equality in a country. |
| Keywords: | Housing&Human Habitats,Microfinance,Gender and Law,Gender and Health,Labor Markets |
| Date: | 2014–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6843&r=dev |
| By: | Seguino, Stephanie; Were, Maureen |
| Abstract: | Researchers have linked sub-Saharan Africa.s (SSA) poor growth performance in recent decades to several factors, including geography, institutions, and low returns to investment. This literature has not yet integrated the research that identifies linkage |
| Keywords: | gender, economic development, growth, sub-Saharan Africa, macroeconomic models, fiscal policy |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2014-056&r=dev |
| By: | Maiga, Eugenie W.H. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of foreign aid on gender equality in education outcomes in developing countries. Heterogeneity effects by type of aid received and by type of recipients are investigated using system GMM methods. The results indicate that ag |
| Keywords: | education, foreign aid, gender |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp2014-048&r=dev |
| By: | Prennushi, G.; Gupta, A. |
| Abstract: | The paper explores whether one of the largest programs in the world for women's empowerment and rural livelihoods, the Indira Kranti Patham in Andhra Pradesh, India, has had an impact on the economic and social wellbeing of households that participate in the program. The analysis usespanel data for 4,250 households from two rounds of a survey conducted in 2004 and 2008 in five districts. Propensity score matching was used to construct control groups and outcomes are compared with differences-in-differences. There are two major impacts. First, the Indira Kranti Patham program increased participants'access to loans, which allowed them to accumulate some assets (livestock and durables for the poorest and nonfarm assets for the poor), invest in education, and increase total expenditures (for the poorest and poor). Women who participated in the program had more freedom to go places and were less afraid to disagree with their husbands; the women participated more in village meetings and their children were slightly more likely to attend school. Consistent with the emphasis of the program on the poor, the impacts were stronger across the board for the poorest and poor participants and were more pronounced for long-term Scheduled Tribe participants. No significant differences are found between participants and nonparticipants in some maternal and child health indicators. Second, program participants were significantly more likely to benefit from various targeted government programs, most important the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, but also midday meals in schools, hostels, and housing programs. This was an important way in which the program contributed to the improved wellbeing of program participants. The effects captured by the analysis accrue to program participants over and above those that may accrue to all households in program villages. |
| Keywords: | Rural Poverty Reduction,Housing&Human Habitats,Primary Education,Social Accountability,Regional Economic Development |
| Date: | 2014–04–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6841&r=dev |