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on Development |
| By: | Matthew Collins; Eleonora Guarnieri; Helmut Rainer |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the causal impact of free primary education (FPE) on fertility decisions among parents in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the interplay between the policy, intra-household bargaining, and cultural norms. Using Demographic and Health Survey data and exploiting the staggered rollout of FPE across 17 countries, we find that FPE reduces fertility by 0.1 children per woman and improves child survival and school enrollment. Linking these data with ethnic-level cultural norms of male dominance, we find that these effects are concentrated among ethnic groups with low male dominance, while high male-dominance groups experience minimal or opposing effects. We further show that FPE strengthens women’s bargaining power in low male-dominance settings, as evidenced by increased contraceptive use, greater influence over reproductive decisions, and higher participation in household decision-making. These changes are accompanied by higher labor force participation, increased media engagement, a higher probability of divorce, and reduced tolerance for intimate partner violence. Such shifts are largely absent in high-male dominance cultures. These findings are consistent with a simple theoretical framework that integrates the canonical quantity–quality trade-off into a household bargaining model with limited commitment, where cultural norms are captured by the extent of women’s veto power over fertility decisions. Our results highlight the critical role of cultural norms in shaping the effects of policy interventions on fertility behavior and broader development outcomes. |
| Keywords: | fertility, gender norms, free primary education |
| JEL: | J13 I25 N37 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11994 |
| By: | Abagna, Matthew Amalitinga; Hornok, Cecília; Mulyukova, Alina |
| Abstract: | This paper provides novel evidence on the impact of a prominent place-based policy – Special Economic Zones (SEZs) – on the economic well-being of African households. Exploiting time variation in SEZ establishment on a dataset of repeated cross-sections of households in 10 African countries during 1990-2020, we show that households living near SEZs become wealthier relative to the national average after SEZ establishment. The effect accrues mostly within 10 km of SEZs, is not driven by selective migration, and is accompanied by improved access to household utilities, higher consumption of durable goods, increased educational attainment and a shift away from agricultural activities. |
| Keywords: | Special economic zone, Place-based policy, Household wealth, Africa |
| JEL: | F6 F21 O15 O25 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:323485 |
| By: | Laguinge, Luis; Gasparini, Leonardo; Neidhöfer, Guido |
| Abstract: | Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) have become a key antipoverty policy in Latin America in the last 25 years. The ultimate goal of this kind of programs is to break the intergenerational transmission of poverty through the promotion of human capital accumulation of children in vulnerable households. In this paper, we explore this issue by estimating the long-run effects of the largest CCT in Latin America: the Brazilian Bolsa Familia. Through a combination of the two-stage-two-sample method and a difference-in-differences approach, we find evidence consistent with a positive long-run impact of Bolsa Familia among former beneficiaries. In particular, we find a significant positive effect on education and labor income, and a negative effect on the likelihood of being a current beneficiary of this social transfer. |
| Keywords: | Conditional cash transfers, long term effects, human capital formation, Bolsa Familia, Brazil, Latin America |
| JEL: | D04 I38 J24 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:319892 |
| By: | Beuermann, Diether; Ramos Bonilla, Andrea; Stampini, Marco |
| Abstract: | Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH during childhood causally affects school progression and academic performance at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. To uncover causal associations, we exploit exogenous variation arising from the PATH eligibility criteria within a regression discontinuity design. We find that for both, boys and girls, PATH significantly increases the likelihood of completing primary and secondary school. Furthermore, among boys, PATH increased the likelihood of pursuing tertiary studies. However, conditional on primary school completion, PATH had no effects on academic performance at any educational level. |
| JEL: | H52 H75 I21 I26 I28 I38 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14174 |
| By: | Yohan Iddawela; Neil Lee; Zhiwu Wei |
| Abstract: | Mobile internet has become a fundamental component of modern infrastructure. In this paper, we consider the impact of mobile internet connectivity on household wealth in the Philippines. We construct a granular measure of local mobile internet connectivity using comprehensive information on approximately 0.27 million geocoded cell towers, and identify causal impact through a novel instrumental variable based on proximity to submarine cable landing points. Our results suggest that mobile internet connectivity significantly increases household wealth, with effects that persist across education levels and are more pronounced in urban areas compared to rural ones. Combining individual survey datasets with Points-of-Interest data, we investigate mechanisms and demonstrate that improved connectivity stimulates activities in several key economic sectors that create employment opportunities. Additionally, mobile internet connectivity enhances individual educational outcomes and promotes female labor force participation, though predominantly in occasional or seasonal roles. |
| Keywords: | employment, mobile internet, cell tower, wealth inequality, Philippines |
| Date: | 2025–07–23 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp2114 |
| By: | Héctor Juan Villarreal Páez (School of Government and Public Transformation, Tecnológico de Monterrey); Diego Vázquez-Pimentel (School of Government and Public Transformation, Tecnológico de Monterrey) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the dynamics of labor informality in Mexico by developing a discrete choice mixed logit model to explain the transitions between labor states—namely, not employed, formal employment, and informal employment—among individuals aged 18 to 65. The study offers critical insights into the informal sector’s heterogeneity, with particular focus on voluntary versus involuntary informality, while also contributing a novel estimation strategy that combines supply- and demand-side constraints within the informal labor market. The results highlight the persistent barriers to formal employment for a significant segment of the labor force, despite policy efforts aimed at reducing informality in Mexico. |
| Keywords: | informality, restricted choices, microsimulations, labor policies |
| JEL: | J24 J31 C54 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gnt:wpaper:5 |
| By: | Biniam Bedasso (Center for Global Development); Amina Mendez Acosta (Consultant) |
| Abstract: | School meals have proven effective in improving child outcomes, particularly in low-income settings. Yet concerns about funding adequacy and cost efficiency remain. This paper analyzes data from three waves of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) survey (2018–2023), covering 216 programs from 102 countries to document cost patterns and scaling dynamics. Additionally, we examine how cost per child varies with implementation models, sourcing strategies, and targeting approaches. We report five main findings. First, majority of the programs, especially in low-income and large-scale settings, are underfunded relative to the cost of a healthy meal. Second, school meal programs in lower-income countries tend to offer less diverse meals, and adjusting for nutritional diversity reveals that achieving comparable dietary quality would significantly raise their per-child costs. These adjustments are especially relevant for disadvantaged children, who face the greatest risk of nutrient deficiency and would benefit most from more diverse meals. Third, local food sourcing is associated with more cost-efficient implementation—after accounting for dietary diversity—while on-site meal preparation is linked to higher costs among better-resourced programs. Fourth, programs that target recipients individually tend to be cheaper, but only for higher-income countries. Finally, despite offering less diverse meals, programs in lower-income countries exhibit greater economies of scale—expanding coverage faster relative to cost increases. |
| Keywords: | School meals, cost efficiency, funding, low- and middle-income countries |
| Date: | 2025–07–22 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:723 |
| By: | Ulep, Valerie Gilbert T.; Casas, Lyle Daryll D.; Nkoroi, Alice; Talamayan, Jann Trizia; Conjares, Ma. Norma Thea Madeline; San Valentin, Carleneth |
| Abstract: | In the Philippines, children continue to face challenges in accessing healthy, sustainable, and diverse diets that provide sufficient nutrients for growth and development. This is especially critical given the importance of early developmental stages. The overall structure and functioning of the food system shape children’s diets. Failures in the food system contribute to the triple burden of malnutrition in the country, with children from poorer households particularly vulnerable to undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight, and obesity. Using available secondary data, this paper examines the complex interplay between the food system—encompassing the food supply chain, food environment, and individual-level factors—and its impact on children’s diets. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing effective interventions to enhance dietary diversity and improve nutrition outcomes. Findings indicate that despite decades of targeted interventions and increased food availability, the Philippine food system remains unable to consistently deliver safe, nutritious, and affordable diets to all. As a result, 48.1 million people cannot afford a healthy diet. Addressing the root causes of limited access and availability is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and malnutrition. Building a resilient, equitable food system requires coordinated action to strengthen food supply chains, food environments, and nutrition behaviors and practices. These efforts are essential for improving child nutrition and ensuring a healthier future generation. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@mail.pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | food systems;food supply chain;food environment;child nutrition;Philippines |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2025-18 |
| By: | Alexsandros Cavgias; Cristian Navarro (-) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides the first causal test of the widely debated hypothesis that British colonial institutions promoted sexual prejudice—defined as negative attitudes toward sexual minorities—in postcolonial societies. We document five main findings. First, after accounting for differences in contemporary economic development, OLS estimates from a cross-country sample of former European colonies reveal that former British colonies exhibit higher sexual prejudice than those of other European powers. Second, Geo-RDD estimates show that former British colonies have significantly greater sexual prejudice than former Portuguese colonies in Southern and Eastern Africa, where local norms did not systematically condemn same-sex relations. Third, Geo-RDD estimates indicate that former British and French colonies display similar levels of sexual prejudice in Western Africa, where a higher share of the population adheres to religious norms condemning same-sex acts. Fourth, additional evidence from areas in South America and Southeast Asia not characterized by homophobic social norms before colonization reinforces the external validity of our findings from Southeastern Africa. Finally, mechanisms analysis suggests that the persistence of sodomy laws fully accounts for the negative association between British colonial origin and contemporary sexual prejudice across countries. Overall, our results indicate that British colonial origin notably increased sexual prejudice in societies with social norms different from the penal codes imposed by colonizers. |
| Keywords: | Sexual Prejudice, British Colonization, Colonial Institutions, Sodomy Laws |
| JEL: | J15 J16 O10 O43 Z13 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rug:rugwps:25/1117 |
| By: | Odhiambo, Frank; Günther, Isabel; Harttgen, Kenneth |
| Abstract: | In many parts of the world, children with disabilities continue to face exclusion from education. This educational disparity is particularly pronounced in African countries, where disability legislation is often absent. In our sample, disability emerges as the strongest predictor of low educational attainment among children-more influential than severe poverty or low parental education. Despite increasing international attention to inclusive education, evidence on the impact of anti-discrimination legislation remains limited, and particularly for low-income settings. Existing literature has primarily focused on labor market outcomes in high-income countries, where the effects on employment have been mixed at best. Using individual-level data from ten African countries, we apply various difference-in-differences approaches to assess the impact of disability legislation on educational attainment. Our analysis shows that such legislation significantly increases school enrollment, attendance rates, and years of schooling. In most countries, anti-discrimination laws close at least half of the 30% disability gap in education observed in contexts lacking such protections. Furthermore, we find no adverse spillover effects on the schooling of younger, non-disabled siblings in countries that enacted the legislation. These findings highlight the transformative potential of legal protections in advancing educational equity for children with disabilities. |
| Keywords: | educational attainment, school attendance, legislation, disability |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cegedp:323228 |
| By: | Ben Bih, Karima; Jafino, Bramka Arga; Desjonqueres, Chloe Genevieve Helene; Sirenko, Mikhail |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the compounded effects of conflict on household recovery following disasters, using Nigeria as a case study. The analysis employs the “Unbreakable” microsimulation model to analyze how proximity to conflict influences recovery rates and well-being, measured by consumption losses. Key factors affecting recovery include exposure bias, vulnerability bias, and limited access to resources and social safety nets. Poor households often live in risk-prone areas due to socioeconomic opportunities, making them more vulnerable to disaster impacts. Their livelihoods, typically in sectors like subsistence farming, are easily disrupted, prolonging recovery. Inadequate housing and limited financial access further hinder rebuilding efforts. By integrating conflict data, the paper reveals how violence exacerbates recovery challenges, increasing consumption losses and deepening poverty impacts. The findings highlight the need for targeted resilience policies to address both disaster and conflict-related vulnerabilities, aiming to enhance recovery capacity and minimize welfare losses for the most affected populations. |
| Date: | 2025–07–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11168 |
| By: | Casady, Carter B; Suárez-Alemán, Ancor |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the impact of public-private partnership (PPP)-enabling conditions on infrastructure development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Using a unique longitudinal dataset, this study analyzes how institutional conditions in 26 LAC countries influenced PPP investment activity between 2009 and 2022. The findings indicate political and social will, along with institutional capacity, are significant predictors of PPP investment, while market reliability, transparency, governance mechanisms, and regulatory regimes, although important, are less impactful. These findings highlight the critical importance of political stability and strong institutional frameworks in driving PPP investment activity in the region. |
| Keywords: | Infrastructure Development;Public-private Partnerships;Latin America and the Caribbean;institutional capacity;Political and social will |
| JEL: | H54 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14199 |
| By: | Pinilla-Roncancio, Mónica; Schwarz, Natalie Vanessa; Smith, Pamela; Stampini, Marco |
| Abstract: | Persons with disabilities incur extra costs of living (e.g., for personal assistance, assistive devices, medical care, transportation), which are not reflected in monetary poverty lines. This has several negative consequences. First, governments underestimate the rate of poverty among persons with disabilities. Second, many persons with disabilities are erroneously excluded from social programs. Finally, even for those persons with disabilities that are declared eligible, the value of the benefits set by the governments is likely to be insufficient (for example, to close the poverty gap). These problems can be avoided by assigning them a higher weight when calculating per-capita income known in the literature as “equivalence scale”. We estimate a correction to the standard, unadjusted poverty line based on information from nationally representative survey data from Peru, as well as from focus groups and interviews with persons with disabilities, caregivers, and public servants. We estimate that each person with disabilities should be counted as 1.47 persons without disabilities when calculating the household per-capita income: this is equivalent to saying that a person with disabilities requires an income of 1.47 poverty lines to be considered non-poor. This adjustment would imply that an additional 15.1% of individuals living in a household with persons with disabilities would be classified as poor, and hence would be eligible to receive social programs. It also implies that the monetary value of their social programs should be 47% higher than for persons without disabilities. Even though this correction alone is not enough to ensure full participation in society, it is a critical part of addressing the extra costs of living faced by individuals with disabilities. |
| JEL: | I32 I38 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14202 |
| By: | Blackman, Allen; Jeuland, Marc; Leguizamo, Emilio |
| Abstract: | The ability of countries in Latin America to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century, the target set by the Paris Agreement, will depend critically on citizen support. To gauge this support, we administered a contingent valuation survey to representative samples in seven of the regions leading GHG emitting countries and in the United States, which is used as a comparator. The survey elicits respondents willingness to pay (WTP) for achieving net zero by 2050 and uses a split sample design to test whether WTP is affected by the distribution of decarbonization costs across households. Our estimates of mean WTP in the Latin American study countries are on par both with our estimate for the United States, and with estimates from a recent CV study for China, Sweden, and the United States. However, among the Latin American study countries, mean WTPs for Argentina and Brazil are relatively low. We also find that the distribution of the costs of decarbonization across households does not have a clear effect on WTP and that the drivers of WTP for our Latin American study countries are similar to those the literature has identified in other regions. |
| Keywords: | Contingent Valuation;stated preference;Net Zero;Argentina;Brazil;Chile;Colombia;Ecuador;Mexico;Peru |
| JEL: | Q51 Q54 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14188 |