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In Utero Ramadan Exposure and Children’s Academic Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Douglas Almond

    (Columbia University)

  • Bhashkar Mazumder

    (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago)

  • Reyn van Ewijk

    (Johannes Gutenberg-Universitaet Mainz, Germany)

Abstract

We consider the effects of daytime fasting by pregnant women during the lunar month of Ramadan on their children's test scores at age seven. Using English register data, we find that scores are .05 to .08 standard deviations lower for Pakistani and Bangladeshi students exposed to Ramadan in early pregnancy. These estimates are downward biased to the extent that Ramadan is not universally observed. We conclude that the effects of prenatal investments on test scores are comparable to many conventional educational interventions but are likely to be more cost effective and less subject to "fade out". gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas Almond & Bhashkar Mazumder & Reyn van Ewijk, 2014. "In Utero Ramadan Exposure and Children’s Academic Performance," Working Papers 1410, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, revised 18 Sep 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:jgu:wpaper:1410
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

    ramadan; fasting; test scores; developmental origins;
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