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on Unemployment, Inequality and Poverty |
| By: | Congdon Fors, Heather (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Durevall, Dick (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University); Isaksson, Ann-Sofie (The Institute for Futures Studies); Lindskog, Annika (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University) |
| Abstract: | Teenage childbearing has serious consequences for young mothers, their children, and society. This study estimates the impact of foreign aid projects on teenage fertility in Malawi. We combine georeferenced data on aid projects from 1998–2016 with individual-level fertility data. Identification relies on spatial and temporal variation in aid exposure and survey timing, with controls for project placement and teenage childbearing among older women not exposed to the intervention. Results show that aid to sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and education significantly reduce teenage fertility, while other aid types have limited effects. Women who were exposed to relevant aid while of critical age were 15-25 percent less likely to have given birth as teenagers. Likely mediators include increased time in school, delayed entry into relationships, and postponed marriage. |
| Keywords: | Teenage fertility; Early childbearing; Foreign aid; Malawi |
| JEL: | F35 O12 O15 |
| Date: | 2025–10–28 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0858 |
| By: | Danzer, Natalia (Freie Universität Berlin); Kranton, Rachel; Larysz, Piotr (Freie Universität Berlin); Senik, Claudia (Paris School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | How do gender identity and norms relate to happiness? This paper takes advantage of the 2024 European Social Survey, which asks respondents to report their feelings of femininity and masculinity, and studies the relationships between these self-assessments, (non-)conformity to gender norms, and life satisfaction. The results show a robust asymmetry between men and women. For men, feeling more masculine, behaving in ways more typical of men, and life satisfaction are all positively cross-correlated. For women, while feeling more feminine and life satisfaction are similarly positively correlated, behaving in ways more typical of women is, in contrast, associated with lower life satisfaction. These patterns vary across European regions, potentially reflecting different histories. The results are robust to alternative measures of typical behavior of men and women and subjective well-being. The findings support theories of gender identity and reveal possible trade-offs implied by gender norms for women. |
| Keywords: | life satisfaction, measures of norms, masculinity, femininity, gender identity, subjective well-being |
| JEL: | I31 J16 Z10 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18209 |
| By: | Uyanga Byambaa; Edward Miguel; Michael W. Walker; Samuel Zicheng Wang |
| Abstract: | Gender wage gaps persist globally, particularly in poor countries. Using Kenya Life Panel Survey data, we first document a raw gender wage gap of 79 log points (55%). We show it remains large, at 39 log points (32%), even controlling for a novel set of individual characteristics – cognitive performance, personality traits, economic preferences, and job tasks – in addition to standard covariates. These novel factors account for only 20% of the residual gap unexplained by education and occupation. Though most Kenyans report egalitarian gender views, these patterns suggest that barriers still hinder women’s labor outcomes. |
| JEL: | J16 O12 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34375 |