Education

insights

A review of cash transfer studies from 2000 - 2015 in low- and middle-income countries, spanning 165 studies, found positive effects on poverty, education, health and nutrition, savings, investment and production, work, and empowerment. Findings are generally positive that UBI-type programs alleviate poverty and improve health and education outcomes and that the effects on labor market participation are minimal. Among new mothers who received an unconditional $333 per month, there was no decrease in employment, no increase in alcohol or tobacco use, more time spent in early-learning activities, and an increase in consumption of child-specific goods. In a Mexican study, infants whose families received conditional cash transfers, averaging one third of household income, show long-term benefits to education, wages, geographic mobility, and family formation (20 years later). Democracy may encourage growth through: economic reforms, increasing human capital (especially through primary schooling), increasing investment, and reducing social unrest. An additional $4k/yr for the poorest households increases educational attainment by one year at age 21.

sources

Expanding the Discourse on Antipoverty Policy: Reconsidering a Negative Income Tax The Effects of a Negative Income Tax on School Performance: Results of an Experiment Parents' Income and Children's Outcomes No Strings Attached: The Behavioral Effects of U.S. Unconditional Cash Transfer Programs Democracy Does Cause Growth Education, Income and Mobility: Experimental Impacts of Childhood Exposure to Progresa after 20 Years

authors

Luke Shaefer Elizabeth Rhodes Jessica Wiederspan Richard J. Murnane Rebecca A. Maynard E. Jane Costello Adrian Angold Gordon Keeler

reports

Basic Income Social Wealth Fund Codetermination