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on Development |
| By: | Attanasio, Orazio; Lopez-Boo, Florencia; Perez-Lopez, Diana; Reynolds, Sarah Anne |
| Abstract: | Gaps in child development by socioeconomic status (SES) start early in life, are large and can increase inequalities later in life. We use recent national-level, cross-sectional and longitudinal data to examine inequalities in child development (namely, language, cognition, and socio-emotional skills) of children 0-5 in five Latin American countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay). In the cross-section analysis, we find statistically significant gaps with inequality patterns that widely differ across countries. For instance, gaps in language and cognition for Uruguay and Chile are much smaller than those for Colombia and Peru. When turning to the longitudinal data, average SES gaps are similar to those of the cross-section in language but differ substantially in cognition, mainly in Uruguay where they emerge as more unequal when cohort effects do not operate. Importantly, we also find that the ECD gaps found at early ages (0-5), still manifest 6-12 years later in almost all locations and realms in which we have measures of early child development, but they do not increase with age. Results are robust to using different measures of inequality (income and maternal education). Gaps are smaller but generally remain when adjusting for possible explanatory factors (e.g., family structure, parental education, geographic fixed effects). To reduce ECD inequality and promote equality in later life outcomes, policymakers should look to implementing evidence-based interventions at scale to improve developmental outcomes of the most disadvantaged children in society. |
| JEL: | I00 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:121590&r=dev |
| By: | Uchenna, Efobi; Joseph, Ajefu |
| Abstract: | This research examines the effect of internally displaced persons (IDPs) resettlement on the anthropometric outcomes of the host community's children in Nigeria. Our identification strategy characterizes affected children based on distance heterogeneities between the household and the closest IDP camp, as well as the child's birth year. We find that children residing within a 50-kilometer radius of the settlement with birth years after the IDP settlement in their community are less likely to be underweight, stunted, or wasted. Importantly, we contend that these findings arise because mothers benefited from changes in agricultural food prices, which led to increased agricultural productivity. Furthermore, the settlement resulted in a rise in donor-related activities in their community, namely immunization campaigns. In our data, we explore these mechanisms, demonstrating a significant likelihood of mothers participating in agricultural labor versus services or other professional employment and a significant increase in vaccination intake for affected children. |
| Keywords: | Anthropometric Measures, Child Wellbeing, Forced Migration, IDPs, Nigeria, Vulnerability |
| JEL: | F35 J13 O15 R23 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1381&r=dev |
| By: | Nuno Palma; Guilherme Lambais |
| Abstract: | More enslaved Africans disembarked in Brazil than in any other country in the New World. Using new archival data (over 12, 000 observations), we analyze the consequences of the slave trade. We build the first real wages and inequality series covering more than three centuries (1574 to 1920) in Brazil, and find that these were initially on a similar level to Europe, but as the slave trade increased, wages decreased and inequality increased. Real wages for unskilled workers became among the lowest in the world, and only recovered with the end of the slave trade. We use slave trade prohibition shocks (1808, 1831, and 1850) to estimate the causal effect of ending slave imports on wages and inequality. The first prohibition led to an average increase of 24% in unskilled wages and a decrease of 25% in wage inequality, while later prohibitions led to even larger wage increases. We propose a mechanism suggesting that the slave trade affected long-run development through a labor market supply channel. |
| Keywords: | historical living standards, real wages, welfare ratios, comparative development, inequality, slave trade, colonial Brazil, frontier settlement, synthetic control methods |
| JEL: | N36 N96 J31 J47 |
| Date: | 2023–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:man:allwps:0001&r=dev |
| By: | Janvier Mwisha-Kasiwa (University of Goma, the DRC); Cédrick Kalemasi-Mosengo (University of Kinshasa, the DRC); Oasis Kodila-Tedika (University of Kinshasa, the DRC) |
| Abstract: | Using data from the DRC Demographic and Health Survey, this study examines the empirical linkages between access to agricultural land and nutritional outcomes by examining gender differences. Results suggest significant effects of access to agricultural land on nutritional outcomes in the full sample, in the male and female-headed households’ subsamples as well. However, gender differences are reported. Access to agricultural land appears to be a significant determinant of improved children dietary diversity among female-headed households (FHH), it is also associated with a significant increase in the children height-for-age z-score in the male-headed households (MHH). Moreover, access to agricultural land positively affects the women’s likelihood of having a normal body mass index the male-headed households; and finally, the study finds that accesses to agricultural land is linked with a significant decrease in the risk of women anaemia among the female-headed households. Since then, we argue that access to agricultural land by MHHs may be beneficial for long-term nutrition indicators while it is more beneficial for short-term nutrition measures among FHHs. |
| Keywords: | Access to agricultural land, dietary diversity, nutrition status, gender, DRC |
| JEL: | C35 D13 I12 J16 Q12 Q15 |
| Date: | 2023–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agd:wpaper:23/075&r=dev |
| By: | Melad, Kris Ann M.; Abrigo, Michael R.M.; Alicante, Kean Norbie F. |
| Abstract: | Which children benefit from conditional cash transfers (CCT)? Using a sample of poor and near-poor households in the Philippines, this study shows that children in households that receive cash transfers from 4Ps, the country’s flagship antipoverty program, have parents with relatively low educational attainment. Within CCT-recipient households, children of heads are more likely to be enrolled for education monitoring. No evidence was found that households select children for education monitoring to maximize 4Ps cash payout. While children’s ranking based on birth timing and an earlier 4Ps prioritization rule predict child monitoring status, these instruments are, at best, weak, which may effectively limit their use in impact assessments. This study confirmed earlier findings that 4Ps raise school enrollment on average, which is likely driven by its impact on boys and older children. It also corroborates earlier results of the perverse effects on nonmonitored children, which worsen with age, are more severe for boys, and appear to be universal across household compliance types. Contrary to expectations, it was found that children in households who select out of 4Ps even when eligible (i.e., never treated) are likely to benefit greatly from the program. In contrast, those from households that select into the program even when ineligible based on proxy means tests (i.e., always treated) are not necessarily better off as a result of the program. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | poverty;4Ps;education;marginal treatment effect;Philippines;Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2023-43&r=dev |
| By: | Alderman, Harold; Gilligan, Daniel O.; Hidrobo, Melissa; Leight, Jessica; Mulford, Michael; Tambet, Heleene |
| Abstract: | Graduation model interventions seek to address multiple barriers constraining households’ exit from poverty, however, few explicitly target unequal gender norms. Using a randomized control trial design, combined with three rounds of data, we investigate the impacts on gender equitable attitudes and behaviors of a graduation program that seeks to simultaneously “push†households out of poverty and improve unequal gender norms in Ethiopia. We find that at midline all treatment arms lead to improvements in men’s gender equitable attitudes and their engagement in household domestic tasks as reported by both men and women; but at endline, impacts are only sustained in the treatment arms that introduced men’s engagement groups after the midline survey to further promote improvements in equitable gender norms. |
| Keywords: | gender norms; men; poverty; households; gender equity; behaviour; men's engagement; ETHIOPIA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2212&r=dev |
| By: | Olivier Bargain (BSE - Bordeaux Sciences Economiques - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IUF - Institut Universitaire de France - M.E.N.E.S.R. - Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche); Jordan Loper (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne); Roberta Ziparo (AMU - Aix Marseille Université) |
| Abstract: | Migration is an important risk-coping mechanism for poor households in developing countries. However, migration decisions may be sub-optimal in the presence of limited commitment between spouses. In this paper, we examine the link between the distribution of power in marriage and the decision to split-migrate (one spouse migrates alone) in Indonesia. We exploit a national policy experiment that exogenously increased women's bargaining power among ethnic groups of matrilocal tradition - the couple lives with the bride's relatives - relative to patrilocal groups. The propensity of matrilocal husbands to split-migrate, relative to patrilocal husbands, increases by 2-3.4 percentage points, i.e. a rise of 41-76%, following the reform. We suggest that empowered women may have gained control ex ante over outcomes that are costlier to monitor for husbands once they migrate. Hence, empowerment restores some efficiency in migration decisions by reducing the anticipated information asymmetry and the moral hazard associated with migration. Consistently, we show that households with empowered women are more able to cushion shocks due to natural disasters and, among all households experiencing split-migration, matrilocal women are better off than their patrilocal counterparts. We provide a theoretical framework that rationalizes the intra-household mechanisms behind these intuitions. |
| Keywords: | Migration, Female empowerment, Intra-household decision-making, Ethnic norms, Gender, Natural experiment |
| Date: | 2024–01–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:cdiwps:hal-04409953&r=dev |
| By: | Christa Brunnschweiler; Nanang Kurniawan; Päivi Lujala; Primi Putri; Sabrina Scherzer; Indah Wardhani; Christa N. Brunnschweiler |
| Abstract: | The governance of natural resource wealth is a key factor in promoting strong institutions and economic development in resource-rich countries. In this paper, we explore how individuals’ engagement in local natural resource revenue (NRR) management can be enhanced and encouraged. We focus on Indonesia, which is a large gold and petroleum producer, among other natural resources, with local challenges such as underdevelopment of resource-rich areas and corruption. We run a randomized survey experiment among 807 local community members in an oil-rich district using videos with three information treatments that give citizens salient and easily understandable information on local NRR and additional motivation to use this information to engage in NRR management. Our outcomes include survey questions on stated behavior and citizen rights perception regarding NRR management, and two incentive-compatible measures. We find that providing easily understandable information increases respondents’ sense of the right to personally influence how NRR are used and the propensity to donate to an anti-corruption NGO. Our positive-example treatment was able to increase respondents’ sense of their right to benefit from NRR and their right to influence NRR management, while our negative-example treatment had no impact on our outcomes. We also explore intervening mechanisms and heterogeneous effects. Providing the population of resource-rich areas with easily understood information on NRR management that is relevant to the local context offers an encouraging avenue for combating NRR-related mismanagement and corruption. |
| Keywords: | accountability, survey experiment, video, Indonesia, petroleum revenues, information treatment |
| JEL: | Q35 Q38 H41 H23 D80 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10886&r=dev |
| By: | Sara Zouiri (Mohammed V University in Rabat) |
| Abstract: | The informal sector, a key feature of African economies, can cause significant distortions that result in loss of growth and constrain countries’ development. Many papers have shown that at the firm level, the informal sector may impact the performance of the formal sector through competition. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between informal sector competition and labor productivity in the formal sector in Africa. To this end, we use data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) conducted between 2009 and 2020 for 36 African countries. The regression results reveal a negative and statistically significant relationship between informal sector competition and labor productivity. The policy implications are twofold. First, policies to reduce the size of the informal sector and/or prevent negative spillovers from informal competition are required to improve productivity. Second, in order to stimulate the formal sector and promote its expansion, policy measures to improve the macroeconomic and institutional context of the region are needed.Length: 25 |
| Date: | 2023–12–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erg:wpaper:1689&r=dev |
| By: | Aragie, Emerta; Gebretsadik, Yohannes |
| Abstract: | The Ethiopian economy relies predominantly on rainfed agriculture for income generation, export earnings, and rural livelihoods. However, the frequency and intensity of extreme ago-climatic events projected by climate scenarios suggest considerable and growing risks from climate change to the country’s agri-food systems and the overall economy. This study assesses the economic impacts of recurrent climate shocks on the Ethiopian economy to 2040. The results indicate that recurrent climate shocks will lead to a reduction in Ethiopia's cumulative GDP from 2020 to 2040 compared to a “no climate change†baseline. Specifically, extreme weather events could cumulatively cost Ethiopia up to 17 percent (or US$ 534.3 billion) in GDP between 2020 and 2040 compared to a no-climate change baseline. The weight of the economic loss is concentrated in the agricultural production sector, with rural households and poorer households in urban areas being worst affected. Strategic investments in irrigation infrastructure and in hydroelectricity generation are found to be effective in mitigating some of the damage caused by recurrent climate variability. |
| Keywords: | rainfed farming; agriculture; income; exports; livelihoods; rural population; climate change; agrifood systems; extreme weather events; water; energy; computable general equilibrium models; ETHIOPIA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2220&r=dev |
| By: | Becker, Malte (Kiel Institute for the World Economy); Krüger, Finja (Kiel Institute for the World Economy); Heidland, Tobias (Kiel Institute for the World Economy) |
| Abstract: | We explore whether attitudes toward immigration and their determinants known from well-studied high-income countries also hold in so far understudied low-income settings where the economic, societal, and geopolitical circumstances differ markedly. Using a causal framework based on experimental and survey data in Uganda and Senegal, we extend the literature by introducing a new concept - power concerns - to test whether perceptions of foreign influence in business and politics affect attitudes toward immigrants. Furthermore, we provide evidence of the perceptions of Chinese immigrants in Africa, whose increasing presence is highly controversial and politicized. |
| Keywords: | attitudes toward immigration, China in Africa, migration, experiment, conjoint |
| JEL: | F22 O15 O55 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16734&r=dev |
| By: | Dione, Malick; Heckert, Jessica; Hidrobo, Melissa; Le Port, Agnès; Peterman, Amber; Seye, Moustapha |
| Abstract: | Edutainment shows promise in changing behavior at scale, yet little is known about how to maximize impacts. We undertake an experimental evaluation of a popular television series, C’est la vie!, delivered through film clubs in rural Senegal, on violence against women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. We find C’est la vie! improved knowledge three months after film clubs ended, as well as violence-related attitudes nine months later, however, find no impacts on behaviors. We investigate design components intended to strengthen impacts, generally finding no additional impacts from post-screening discussions, engaging men, and podcasts. |
| Keywords: | behavior; education; television; violence; gender; women; health; knowledge; impact edutainment; SENEGAL; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2210&r=dev |
| By: | Albert, Jose Ramon G.; Tabuga, Aubrey D.; Vizmanos, Jana Flor V.; Muñoz, Mika S.; Hernandez, Angelo C.; Habitan, Ma. Teresa |
| Abstract: | As the country witnesses a steady export of its human resources, it becomes imperative to explore not only the immediate impacts of labor migration on the Philippine economy but also its long-term consequences on both the overseas Filipino workers and the families they leave behind. This study examines the various effects of labor migration on OFWs and their families, including the economic benefits and social costs (e.g., family dynamics, child outcomes in terms of labor, health, education) of the diaspora, and what the government has done to assist these modern-day heroes. Remittances sent home by OFWs have become a major contributor to the Philippine economy, representing around 10 percent of gross domestic product. This provides income for families and supports consumer spending. However, labor migration has led to divided families and complex transnational relationships between OFWs and their families in the Philippines. While remittances support loved ones, being miles away from loved ones can cause psychic pains. Findings from interviews with OFWs and their families also suggest that young OFWs dream of retiring early but may not be provided systematic support for financial literacy. The paper calls for strengthening the reinforcement of legal frameworks, enhancing the labor market, improving social protection programs for OFWs and their families, equipping them with the necessary skills to achieve financial sustainability, and regularly monitoring OFW conditions for evidence-informed policymaking. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | labor migration;overseas Filipino workers;OFW;labor export;diaspora |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2023-17&r=dev |
| By: | Mukosa Chakufyali (School of Economics, University of Cape Town); Christine S. Makanza (School of Economics, University of Cape Town) |
| Abstract: | There is a disparity in the trends of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) across nations at different stages of economic development, thereby indicating that economic development could play a role in attracting FDI to the region. This study assesses whether economic development plays a key role in attracting FDI to SSA, and examines whether the determinants of FDI differ across nations at different stages of economic development. The study constructs a panel dataset consisting of twenty-seven Sub-Saharan African (SSA(n)) nations, separated into higher and lower income nations, for the period 2000-2019. Both static and dynamic panel regression analysis is conducted, where the dynamic model is estimated using a system of Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) procedure, whereas static panel analysis is conducted using fixed effects and random effects models. A dummy variable is included to represent economic development. The dummy was created by assessing each nations country classification by income level, according to the World Bank, in each year included in the analysis, and not by taking a nations classification at the end-point of the analysis, as end-point classification is likely to lead to a misclassification of nations that have transitioned from lower to higher income nations throughout the period under investigation. The full sample regression results found the dummy variable to be strongly significant, thereby supporting the claim that economic development does play a role in attracting FDI to SSA. Additional factors identified to be key drivers of FDI to SSA include inflation, FDI flows in the previous period, and trade openness. A comparison of the determinants of FDI across lower and higher income SSA(n) nations indicates that the determinants of FDI differs across nations at different stages of economic development. The factors that attract FDI to higher income SSA(n) nations are inflation, and government effectiveness, whereas the factors that attract FDI to lower income SSA(n) nations are lagged FDI flows, inflation, and trade openness. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ctn:dpaper:2023-02&r=dev |
| By: | André D. Tsambou (University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon); Malick T. Diallo (University of Gaston Berger, Senegal); Benjamin Fomba Kamga (University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon); Simplice A. Asongu (Johannesburg, South Africa) |
| Abstract: | Youth unemployment is major policy concern in Senegal. The country has in recent years, implemented several programs to combat unemployment and the precariousness of youth employment in the labor market. However, the results of these programs are to date hardly perceptible. The objective of this work is to assess the impact of employment support programs on the quality of youth employment. We provide empirical evidence of the effect of the apprenticeship program implemented by the National State-Employer Convention in facilitating youth access to quality employment. Job quality is determined using an index that captures multiple wage and non-wage dimensions of job quality. Using survey data on the improvement of employment policies from 2746 individuals, we use the endogenous switching regression method and the propensity score matching method to assess and compare the impact of the apprenticeship program on the quality of jobs held by young men and women. The results show that the apprenticeship program has a positive and significant impact on job quality. Indeed, we find that the quality of employment is better for young men and women who benefited from the internship program than for those who did not. We find, however, that there is a difference in job quality between males and females who received the program. The differences in job quality are explained more by differences in job characteristics but are not directly related to gender or age. |
| Keywords: | Youth, Labor market, quality of employment, Senegal, Apprenticeship |
| JEL: | J4 E24 O55 M53 |
| Date: | 2023–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aak:wpaper:23/018&r=dev |