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Dependence or Constraints? Cash Transfers and Labor Supply

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  • Diego A. Vera-Cossio

Abstract

Decreases in labor supply among cash transfer recipients are often cited as potential drawbacks of social assistance programs. However, cash transfers can also increase employment. Using variation across cohorts and over time in the eligibility criteria of a nationwide conditional cash transfer program in Bolivian public schools, this paper shows that employment increases among parents of eligible children, particularly for females. The increase in employment coincides with increases in self-employment and in the probability of investing in family businesses. These effects are mostly driven by females from areas with limited access to financial services. As mothers work more, overworked fathers reduce work hours. The results suggest that there are (positive) unintended consequences of cash transfer programs targeting households with school-age children: cash transfers may relax liquidity constraints and boost entrepreneurship and also relieve overworked adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego A. Vera-Cossio, 2022. "Dependence or Constraints? Cash Transfers and Labor Supply," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 70(4), pages 1439-1477.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/714010
    DOI: 10.1086/714010
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    Cited by:

    1. Adan Guyo Shibia, 2024. "Households’ coping mechanisms with droughts and floods using finance, non-finance and the social safety net measures: evidence from Kenya," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 22237-22259, September.
    2. Cuong Viet Nguyen & Finn Tarp, 2023. "Cash Transfers and Labor Supply: New Evidence on Impacts and Mechanisms," DERG working paper series 23-18, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. Development Economics Research Group (DERG).

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