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Higher education expansion and crime: New evidence from China

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  • Wang, Chuhong
  • Liu, Xingfei
  • Yan, Zizhong
  • Zhao, Yi

Abstract

In this paper we present causal evidence on the impact of higher education expansion on crime by exploiting a massive expansion of college enrollment in China since 1999, using data from multiple sources. Our identification strategy exploits regional variation in the intensity of the higher education expansion with partially identified difference-in-differences models. We explore various assumptions to account for the potential unparallel trends over years and find that college expansion causally reduces crime rates and the effect changes over time. Moreover, the crime reducing effect extends beyond the post-secondary educational level and into the senior high schools. Our findings document an important yet overlooked positive externality associated with higher education expansion.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chuhong & Liu, Xingfei & Yan, Zizhong & Zhao, Yi, 2022. "Higher education expansion and crime: New evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:74:y:2022:i:c:s1043951x22000700
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101812
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sun, Yue & Zhao, Liqiu & Zhao, Zhong, 2024. "Hukou status and children's education in China," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1386, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Hao, Zedong & Wang, Yun, 2022. "Education signaling, effort investments, and the market's expectations: Theory and experiment on China's higher education expansion," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    3. Yue Sun & Liqiu Zhao & Zhong Zhao, 2024. "Hukou Status and Children’s Education in China," Working Papers 2024-004, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    4. Wuxue Cheng & Yajun Rao & Yixin Tang & Jiajia Yang & Yuxin Chen & Li Peng & Jiangcheng Hao, 2022. "Identifying the Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Crime in Liangshan Prefecture, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Higher education expansion reform; Crime; China; Partial identification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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