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The Impact of Short-Term Employment for Low-Income Youth: Experimental Evidence from the Philippines

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  • Emily A. Beam

    (University of Vermont)

  • Stella Quimbo

    (University of the Philippines)

Abstract

We use a randomized field experiment to test the causal impact of short-term work experience on employment and school enrollment among disadvantaged, in-school youth in the Philippines. This experience leads to a 4.4 percentage point (79%) increase in employment eight to twelve months later. Although we find no aggregate increase in enrollment, we also do not find that the employment gains push youth out of school. Our results are most consistent with work experience serving as a signal of unobservable applicant quality, and these findings highlight the role of temporary work as a stepping stone to employment for low-income youth.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily A. Beam & Stella Quimbo, 2023. "The Impact of Short-Term Employment for Low-Income Youth: Experimental Evidence from the Philippines," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 105(6), pages 1379-1393, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:105:y:2023:i:6:p:1379-1393
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01135
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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