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The Origins of Cognitive Skills and Non-cognitive Skills: The Long-Term Effect of in-Utero Rainfall Shocks in India

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  • Chang, Grace

    (London School of Economics)

  • Favara, Marta

    (University of Oxford)

  • Novella, Rafael

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

Skills are an important predictor of labour, education, and wellbeing outcomes. Understanding the origins of skills formation is important for reducing future inequalities. This paper analyses the effect of shocks in-utero on human capital outcomes in childhood and adolescence in India. Combining historical rainfall data and longitudinal data from Young Lives, we estimate the effect of rainfall shocks in-utero on cognitive and non-cognitive skills development over the first 15 years of life. We find negative effects of rainfall shocks on receptive vocabulary at age 5, and on mathematics and non-cognitive skills at age 15. Also, shocks occurred after the first trimester are more detrimental for skills development. Our findings support the implementation of policies aiming at reducing inequalities at very early stages in life.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang, Grace & Favara, Marta & Novella, Rafael, 2020. "The Origins of Cognitive Skills and Non-cognitive Skills: The Long-Term Effect of in-Utero Rainfall Shocks in India," IZA Discussion Papers 13960, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13960
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Segundo Zapiola, 2023. "Drought Shocks and School Attendance in Tanzania," Young Researchers Working Papers 12, Universidad de San Andres, Departamento de Economia, revised Aug 2023.
    2. Nicolas Pazos & Marta Favara & Alan Sánchez & Douglas Scott & Jere Behrman, 2022. "Long-term effects of rainfall shocks on foundational cognitive skills: Evidence from Peru," PIER Working Paper Archive 23-001, Penn Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
    3. Lee, Ines, 2024. "Co-benefits from health and health systems to education," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Porter, Catherine, 2024. "Reprioritising inclusion and equity to meet SDG4: Action is needed beyond the education sector – and must begin before school entry," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    5. Doyle, Mary-Alice, 2023. "Seasonal patterns in newborns’ health: Quantifying the roles of climate, communicable disease, economic and social factors," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    rainfall shocks; in-utero; skills formation; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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